On the 23rd November 2016, the NSPCC launched a helpline offering support to anyone who was sexually abused in football as a child. It followed a series of disclosures from ex-footballers about the abuse they suffered in high-profile clubs across the country.

Boys are over 5 times less likely to contact Childline about sexual abuse than girls, according to the NSPCC, so it is particularly important that we recognise how significant this shift is.

Victims of abuse can feel so much shame, despite the fact that they have done nothing wrong. For boys and young men there are all sorts of beliefs about being male that can compound that shame and make it even harder to tell anyone.

If you or anyone you know need to speak to someone about what they’ve experienced and feels ready to do that here is a list of helplines including some that are just for men http://www.itv.com/thismorning/rape-helplines