Sheffield boxer raped as 10-year-old says male victims of sexual assault being let down by lack of services

In 2018, Callum Hancock, aged 27, revealed he was raped as a 10-year-old, shortly after the man responsible for the assault was sentenced to more than six years behind bars.

Since his attacker’s conviction, the Eckington man has become a passionate campaigner on sexual abuse, and wants to raise awareness that men too can be victims of sexual predators.

He thinks that a male version of ‘Ask for Angela’ scheme - a ‘safe-word’ system whereby women can discreetly ask for help in bars and clubs - should be designed.

And he also says that sexual abuse counselling services specifically aimed at men should be much more widely available.

“Men go out anticipating violence but not rape or sexual abuse,” he said.

“Ask for Angela has been about for a couple of years now but there isn’t anything like that for men.”

Callum’s call comes just weeks after the conviction of Reynhard Sinaga, a Manchester-based Indonesian student who is thought to have raped almost 200 men between 2015-2017.

In Manchester, the Survivors counselling service offers help specifically to men, but the Sheffield Rape and Sexual Abuse Centre caters for both men and women and has a long waiting list.

“I want all the men who are subject to sexual abuse to be able to access that support,” he added.

The man who raped Callum, Jason Lee Lyttle, of Marsh Lane, was sentenced to six years three months behind bars in October 2018 after pleading guilty to buggery and two counts of indecent assault committed between January and July 2001.

After Lyttle’s sentencing, Callum bravely spoke to Star reporter Bob Westerdale, revealing how the attack happened, how he told his family, how he confronted his abuser and how he finally got justice.

In Sheffield, male victims of sexual abuse can ring a helpline 0808 802 9999 or go to www.sheffieldrapecrisis.org.uk/services.

Alternatively, they can ring victim support on 0300 303 1976.