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Supporting Male victims of sexual abuse in Ontario?

Overview

At least 1 in 6 men have been sexually assaulted in their lifetime. Given that men often don’t report abuse, this number is likely a lot higher than we know. 

The adverse impacts can last a lifetime, including challenges related to mental and physical health, and problems in relationships.

Government support services

“Support Services for Male Survivors of Sexual Abuse” is a program administered by the Ministry of the Attorney General in Ontario. This service is not affiliated with KPA Lawyers.

Men have access to a variety of services to help deal with the abuse, including the following:

  • individual and group counselling
  • peer support
  • telephone and online counselling
  • referrals to other community support services

Men can also call a 24-hour, multilingual, toll-free line for immediate crisis and referral services at 1-866-887-0015.

See what other men have said about the assistance they have received:

  • “I’ve stopped blaming myself for the sexual abuse I survived when I was a child.”
  • “My relationships with my family and friends have improved enormously.”
  • “I don’t feel so alone any more.”
  • “For the first time in years I can manage my emotions when I’m dealing with negative situations.”
  • “Thank you. The help of this program has given me hope for the future.”

Adverse impacts of sexual abuse, as reported by men

Here are actual quotes from men who have survived sexual abuse, as reported by the Research and Statistics Division of the Department of Justice Canada.

  • “It’s really given me a lot of issues with trust and a lot of issues with authority….I think that the worst part is not being able to stay with anything (girlfriend, house, job) for more than a couple of years because then I feel like I’m getting too close. I feel vulnerable. I just end up feeling like ‘no, this has got to end.’”
  • “It always made me feel dirty…unworthy…different and embarrassed, ashamed…secrets.”
  • “I didn’t know how to voice it. Unfortunately, I didn’t get help early enough, so I have a
    lot of ‘bad tapes’ in my head.”
  • “For the last twenty-some years, I’ve contemplated and acted out on killing myself
    multiple times. I’ve almost succeeded on about four. “

Legal support at KPA

At least 1 in 6 men have been sexually assaulted in their lifetime. Given that men often don’t report abuse, this number is likely a lot higher than we know. 

The adverse impacts can last a lifetime, including challenges related to mental and physical health, and problems in relationships.