A SUPPORT group for male victims of rape and sexual abuse is being set up in Worcestershire.

The Worcestershire Male Survivors of Rape and Sexual Abuse is in its early stages and organisers are calling for victims, and people who can help victims, to step forward.

A steering committee has been formed and a meeting is due to take place on Saturday, May 15, at University College Worcester, Henwick Road, to take the group to its next stage.

One of the organisers, Doug Padgett, aged 45, from Cranham Drive, Warndon, Worcester, said the meeting would be "informative" and would bring steering committee members "up to speed".

"It's a 'heads-up' meeting really," said Mr Padgett, a Falklands veteran who has also been involved in a support group for men with post-traumatic stress disorder.

"We've had one meeting before, in February, but this is our first major meeting.

"Several people have got together and thought it would be a good idea to get something going. A lot of the interest so far has been generated through word-of-mouth and there are also leaflets available.

"It's at steering committee stage at the moment and the aim of this meeting is for anyone who wants to get on board in any capacity to let us know."

The meeting will hear from speakers, including Steve Bevan, who runs the Survivors of Swindon group, a successful support group for men, in Swindon.

The meeting is due to take place in Cotswold C lecture room at UCW, from 11am to 3pm.

Funding for the meeting has been provided by the South Worcestershire Primary Care Trust.

For more information phone Mr Padgett on 07949 336378.