Few people realise male rape exists.

Society says men are impervious to sex attacks because they are strong and able to defend themselves.

Though a Swindon-based rape helpline has shocking statistics that prove otherwise.

More than one third of calls being made to the Victim Support helpline are from men who have been the victim of rape or serious sexual assault.

Their pleas for help reveal a frightening new side to an issue which has been closed for many years.

On Friday, Swindon's Link Centre hosted the first conference of its kind in the town to highlight the issue of sexual abuse against men and boys.

Police officers, social workers, support workers, councillors and survivors of abuse attended the event.

Some of the men which support workers Sarah Norris and Tracy Purnell talk to were abused as children, others raped in one off attacks by strangers in Swindon and the surrounding area.

Yet despite official estimates that one in every six males will have suffered some form of sexual abuse by the age of 18, many men still refuse to believe they could be a victim.

The women say this myth in turn makes it difficult for men to admit they have been a victim if they are attacked.

"There is still a huge stigma attached to male rape," explained Tracy.

"Men fear they will not be believed in the first place, or that people will think they are gay."

It is for these reasons that many male victims of assault rarely ask for help, let alone report it to the police.

"This is just the tip of the iceberg, I wouldn't be surprised if the figures are a lot higher," said Tracy.

Friday's conference was organised in part by Steve Bevan, 43, who runs Swindon Survivors a group for men who have been sexually abused or assaulted.

Steve was raped by a family member when he was three years old.

He was repeatedly abused by a family friend and two other men when he was 15.

He didn't seek counselling until his twenties and eventually set up the group nine years ago.

"Our aim is to work together with other services to raise awareness of the issue. There are people out there who are still too scared to talk about it," he said.

After the last consensus in 1992 Steve estimated there were around 19,000 men in Swindon who had suffered from either physical or sexual abuse.

Tracy points out that since, about 600 have contacted either Victim Support or Swindon Survivors to talk about their experience. There are more than 18,000 who have not.

During the conference, speakers explained how abuse can affect men.

Confusion, depression and isolation are natural reactions for both men and women who have been raped.

In some cases men also experience confusion surrounding their sexuality.

Tracy explained: "Unlike women, men show physical signs of sexual arousal. This happens involuntarily and leaves the victim feeling incredibly confused.

"They wonder if it means they have secretly enjoyed it, or encouraged their attacker in some way."

Playground jokes about male rape also help to enforce the notion that it doesn't happen.

While female rape is taken very seriously, quips about male rape are still made posing yet another barrier.

Sarah explained that forthcoming changes in the law will crack down even harder on perpetrators of sexual crime making other forced sexual acts offences.

At the moment the team are in desperate need of extra people to help look after the phone lines.

Full training is given and no official qualifications are required.

You do not need to be a survivor of abuse, just willing to listen without being judgmental.

"The most important thing we do for callers is to believe them," said Sarah.

The freephone helpline is open on Tuesday evenings between 7pm and 10pm, Thursday morning between 9.30am and 12.30pm and Sunday afternoon between 2pm and 4pm.

The number is 0808 8001144. There is also a website at www.rapeline.org.co.uk.

If you are interested in becoming a volunteer call Victim Support Wiltshire on 01380 729476.