Menaswell launches Menaswell.nl

Menaswell Launches the Menaswell.nl website - Challenging Stigma of Male Survivors of Sexual Violence in The Netherlands

The social campaign focuses on introducing a new narrative to the discussion around sexual consent.

Amsterdam, NL – 1st April 2021 The Menaswell campaign is launching Menaswell.nl on the 1st April, continuing their focs of bringing attention to sexual and domestic violence against men through stories, research and digital content to break stigma and to provide a voice to those who have experienced sexual violence. In addition to the social content that Menaswell has been building since its launch in December, the website will allow people to stay up to date with news and guest blog posts on the topic of sexual violence against men.
Working with Amnesty and in support of their Let’s Talk About Yes campaign urging for reform of the sexual violence laws in the Netherlands, Menaswell stands to represent an often unheard group of sexual violence survivors.

Menaswell will continue to create discussion on the taboo of rape against men and increase understanding to change public attitudes through the creation of content on social channels, and lobbying social rights groups to integrate this narrative into their own campaigns. Menaswell believe that by giving a voice to survivors, greater visibility of this topic will allow for stronger institutions and more accountability. 

“We have received excellent responses from rights groups, politicians and the public in our first 4 months of the Menaswell campaign.” Thomas Garrod-Pullar, co-founder of the initiative, says, “We are really feeling a shift in the discussion of consent as we raise awareness for male victims of rape and other forms of sexual aggression. Universalising the narrative is something that we believe will benefit all victims of sexual violence.”

“4% of rapes against men are reported to the police in the Netherlands. One third of victims never tell anybody. And yet approximately 350,000 men in the Netherlands has experienced sexual violence.  ”

The Menaswell campaign has support from D66 and Groen Links. The Instagram page was shared by Dutch political party D66 Chair Rob Jetten and Pride Amsterdam, and UVA’s student union. Groen Links has also affirmed their support for male victims of sexual violence.

About Menaswell

Menaswell is an initiative launched by Thomas Garrod-Pullar and Nina Sierig (Amnesty NL). The campaign was set up in response to a clear lack of representation of male survivors in the narrative of sexual violence. The co-founders believe that this lack of narrative is a serious impediment to those who have faced sexual violence, and that visibility of the cause can lead to improved support from community and institutions.

Media Contact

Thomas Garrod-Pullar

+31 6 25 19 38 74. www.menaswell.nl / info@menaswell.nl