COMMENTARY

women. We still have a long way to go until there is equal recognition, though.

As victims, men feel ashamed, they fear being laughed at and they do not know how to escape. We all have a duty to take them seriously and help them.

Alex’s story will encourage more to come forward. I urge them to call helplines, go to the police and confide in people they trust.

Confidential ManKind helpline: 01823 334244 and website: mankind.org.uk

“I didn’t care about girls until Jordan came along. She was very confident, caring and showed a real interest in me.”

But Worth’s mood darkened at Skeel’s 18th birthday party. Worth was jealous of a 15-yearold girl and “she targeted her with abuse, shouting violently at her”.

A row saw the couple break-up temporarily