Devon Men's Helpline Gets Cash to Expand

A unique help group for men who've suffered sexual abuse which is run by survivors, is getting the chance to expand.

Operation Emotion 2 is getting £162,882  from the Big Lottery Fund which will mean a full-time worker can be taken on for the next five years.

Operation Emotion 2 began after the trial and conviction of a serial paedophile in Plymouth in 2005.  At first it mainly helped victims identified during the  court proceedings.  But soon other victims were calling its helpline and accessing it's support groups.

Around 200 men  are believed to have been helped over the years.  Although Director David Ball reckons that about 5 per cent of men are sexually abused at some time in their lives...so the number of victims in Plymouth could be between 5,000 and 10,000. 

He's been talking to our reporter Wendy Buckingham CLICK HERE

The project will provide a weekly support group, a 12-week education therapy programme working intensively with participants to help reconcile relationships,  a 24 hour helpline and advice and information to other organisations.

It also has a website  which has already been viewed by 10,000 people.  http://www.operationemotion.co.uk/MM3.html