A MAN who was laughed at after being sexually assaulted in the street has spoken out in a bid to change people’s attitudes towards male victims.

Mitch Jones, from Pity Me, in Durham, says he was shocked after his alleged assailant laughed at him, while other people passing by ignored him.

He was walking in Durham city centre, near Framwellgate Bridge, at about 3.30pm last Saturday when he says he was assaulted by a woman, who grabbed his crotch.

Mr Jones, who thinks the woman had been drinking, said: “I was was walking along texting and out of nowhere she was up against me and grabbed me. Then she walked away and laughed.

“I stopped and stared and she was laughing her head off. I don’t think she knew the impact it was having on me.

“I think people would have seen – it was really busy –but no one reacted. I know if it was a man that had done it to a woman people would have rushed over to see if she was okay, or they would do something to the man who had done it. But there was nothing.”

“I told a few friends and they laughed. I think if a girl had told them something like that they would have reacted differently.”

He added: “Because she was doing it to a man I don’t even know if she thought it was a crime.”

Police are investigating the incident and are encouraging anyone who may have witnessed it to come forward.

They are also urging anyone who has been a victim of sexual assault to come forward.

According to the charity Survivors UK, more than 70,000 men are sexually abused or assaulted and an estimated 12,000 men are raped in the UK each year.

Twenty-seven-year-old Mr Jones has waived his right to anonymity because he hopes it will encourage other victims comes forward.

He said: “When a woman does to it to a man people think they should be able to handle themselves because they are physically stronger.

“It’s not the nicest thing to talk about, so I know why a lot of men would feel degraded or ashamed, but it’s nothing to be ashamed of.

“The reaction people had made me feel really insignificant. I think attitudes need to change.”

He added: “It’s really knocked me. I was feeling bitter and angry, but I’m not going back to feeling like that.”

Mr Jones, who is receiving support to help him deal with the experience, praised police about how they have handled the incident so far.

He said: “They have officers who deal with mental health issues and they were absolutely fantastic.

“People don’t always feel comfortable with police but they were brilliant.”

A spokesman for Durham Police said: “We are investigating an allegation of a sexual assault which is believed to have taken place on Framwellgate Bridge in Durham City on Saturday, August 3.

“Enquiries are ongoing.

“Anyone with information in relation to this incident is asked to call 101 quoting reference number 320 of August 3.

“We would urge anyone who believes they have been a victim of sexual assault or rape to contact us on 101, or dial 999 in an emergency.”

Survivors UK supports anyone affected by male sexual violation. For information go to the website https://www.survivorsuk.org/

The website also contains links to support groups in the region.