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National Male Survivor Helpline and Online Support Service
Free, confidential, specialist support services for male survivors of sexual abuse (adults, teenagers and children) and those who support them.
Call Free: 0808 800 5005
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National Male Survivor
Helpline
0808 800 5005
Free from all UK phones | No referral needed
You do not need to have reported to the police.
You do not need to explain everything.
You do not even need to know exactly what support you need.
You just need to call.
At Safeline, I am heard, believed, understood and unjudged, particularly when describing the degrading and life-threatening abuse I encountered. Without Safeline, it is highly probable I would have ceased my life
Who Can Call?
The National Male Survivor Helpline is available to men and boys (and anyone who identifies as male or non-binary) affected by any form of sexual abuse, sexual violence, sexual assault, exploitation or unwanted sexual experiences.
We support:
- Men and boys who experienced childhood sexual abuse
- Men who have experienced sexual assault as adults
- Survivors of historic abuse
- Men and boys who are unsure whether what happened to them was abuse
- Men and boys seeking emotional support
- Men wanting information about counselling or other services
- Family members, friends and professionals looking for advice
- Men and boys whose abuser was male
- Men and boys whose abuser was female
There is no time limit on accessing support. Whether the abuse happened recently or many years ago, support is available.
Opening Times
Monday 10am – 3pm
Tuesday 10am – 3pm
Thursday 10am – 3pm
You can choose to speak with us on our helpline (up to 30 minutes), connect through live chat (up to 45 minutes), or contact us by email (one response per week).
We aim to answer all calls and webchats as soon as we can and our service standard is 4 out of 5 calls/webchats will be answered first time.
If you choose to email us, we will respond within 7 days.
What Happens When You Call
We understand that making the first call can often be the hardest step.
When you contact the National Male Survivor Helpline, you will speak with a trained specialist experienced in supporting male survivors of sexual abuse and sexual violence.
You are in control of the conversation.
We will:
- Listen without judgement
- Respect your choices and decisions
- Help you explore your options
- Provide information and guidance
- Signpost to specialist services where appropriate
- Discuss support available through Safeline
We will never pressure you to disclose more than you want to share.
We will never pressure you to report to the police.
Our role is to provide a safe confidential space where you can be heard, understood and supported.
This is the best helpline for male survivors of sexual violence that I have found. The people on the helpline are excellent and are really helping me. It is an incredible gift to have a male helpline
Feedback
We really appreciate your feedback about our helpline and online service and you can give us feedback at any time to enable us to give you the best possible experience. You can speak to our helpline advisors during your call, live chat or email conversation, or you can call the office on 01926 402498 or or e-mail us on office@safeline.org.uk.
Alternatively, please click below to leave anonymous feedback.
Men, Male, Boys, Transgender, Non-Binary
We wish to acknowledge gender identity can be fluid for some individuals and when we use the term ‘male’ this includes cisgender (cis), transgender (trans) and non-binary identities.
Support the Male Helpline
Donate today to give a male survivor a tomorrow.
Trauma-Informed Support
All Safeline services are delivered using a trauma-informed approach.
This means we recognise the impact trauma can have on emotions, thoughts, memory, relationships and wellbeing.
We prioritise safety, choice, trust and empowerment, ensuring survivors remain in control of their support journey.
Many people tell us that speaking with someone who understands trauma makes a significant difference to how comfortable they feel seeking help.
Stopped me from self-harming. Helped me feel more confident in asking for help and support. Am grateful that living in Norfolk, I have been able to get support from a charity in Warwickshire.
You Are Not Alone
Sexual abuse and sexual violence can affect anyone, including men and boys of all ages and backgrounds.
Many male survivors never tell anyone about what happened to them. Feelings of shame, confusion, self-blame, fear of not being believed, or concerns about how others may react can make it difficult to reach out for support.
At Safeline, we understand these challenges. We have been supporting all survivors of sexual abuse and sexual violence for more than 30 years and have extensive experience working with male survivors.
Our National Male Survivor Helpline provides a safe, confidential and non-judgemental space where you can talk openly about your experiences, your concerns, or simply explore what support options are available.
You do not need to have reported what happened.
You do not need to be certain whether what happened to you was abuse.
You do not need to face it alone.
If You Are In Crisis or Urgent Need of Support
If you are in immediate danger, call 999.
If you are in crisis and need immediate emotional support outside our opening hours, please contact:
Samaritans: 116 123
SHOUT: Text SHOUT to 85258
Mind Infoline: 0300 123 3393
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I call anonymously?
If you contact our helpline and prefer to remain anonymous, you can hide your phone number by dialing 141 before the helpline number. Please check with your network provider that this service is available with your mobile network. We do not audio record live calls.
We recommend that when you contact us you do so in a private place and at a time where you will not be overheard or interrupted.
Can I choose the gender of who I’m speaking to?
Our helpline services are delivered by male and female individuals. If you reach a call handler and you would prefer to speak to a call handler of the alternate gender, if there is one available we can transfer you. If in the event an alternative call handler is not available we welcome you to call back at another time, or, if you feel comfortable to continue the call with the current call handler, you are welcome to do so.
I was abused by a woman, can I call?
Yes you can. This service is for male survivors of sexual abuse. In 2024, 40% of new callers to the helpline had been abused by women. Some had been abused as children and others by adult women.
What if English is not my preferred language?
If English is not your preferred language we can support you via Language Line which allows people to communicate across different languages in a matter of seconds through a three way phone call with an interpreter.
If you want to read or hear this website in a language other than English, please click on the Accessibility Button at the top.
How Long Do You Retain my Data?
In accordance with Call Handling Data Protection and retention policies, live chat conversations are stored securely for three years.
Outlook email conversations are stored securely for 30 days (after the last contact with the service) and then deleted unless we have cause for concern for your safety or that of another person or you have made a first disclosure of a potential or alleged crime that may be later used as evidence if you choose to report to the Police. If you make a first disclosure, we will talk with you about what that means and the data we may collect.
We do not record helpline calls.
Can my partner call for support
Yes. Your partner, or anyone who is supporting you can call the helpline for support.
Can I call if I’m in crisis or need immediate help?
Safeline is not a crisis service. If you feel you are in a crisis and need immediate help, please call the emergency services on 999, or speak to your GP.
If you are struggling in this way, you are not alone, and there is immediate help available.
You can contact:
- Samaritans on 116 123
- text SHOUT to 85258 (24/7 crisis text support)
- ChildLine on 0800 1111 or visit their website here.
Can I access counselling through Safeline?
Yes. The helpline can provide information about counselling and other support services available through Safeline.
What if the abuse happened years ago?
You can still contact us. There is no time limit on receiving support. One of our callers was in his nineties and had been abused under the age of 10.
Is the call free
Yes. Calls to the National Male Survivor Helpline are free from UK landlines and mobile phones.
I am a veteran survivor of extreme childhood sexual & other abuse, with dissociative identity injuries as a result. I am in my own company a great deal & need to talk openly about some of what I deal with day to day. Talking with any of the Safeline helpline team gives me contact with someone who has specialist understanding of survivor issues & is invaluable as a source of affirming support.’
Confidentiality
We do not record calls.
All the personally identifying information you give us will be kept confidential within our organisation unless:
- You give us permission to share information
- The information is requested by a court of law
And/or if we have safeguarding concerns such as:
- There is serious risk of harm to another person, for example, a serious crime being committed such as terrorism, fraud, or a child protection concern.
- There is serious risk of harm to yourself, for example, a plan to take your own life.
To read more about our confidentiality policy please click here or our safeguarding policies please click: Adults at Risk Protection Policy or Child Protection Policy
Service Use Policy
Please be respectful to the members of our team during your contact with Safeline.
Our teams work hard to support people affected by sexual violence and those assisting them. We have a zero tolerance policy for inappropriate and abusive callers and those who contact us via text, live chat or email, who may demonstrate any of the behaviours below:
- Rude / aggressive /confrontational behaviour and language directed at the call handler
- Not using the services appropriately or respecting the boundaries of the service
- Any inappropriate and graphic sexual content, behaviour and language during the call
- Facilitating or supporting in any way perpetrators of any form of abuse
(Please note this list is not exhaustive and serves as examples only.)
Any abuse towards staff or refusal to co-operate with any reasonable request from Safeline staff will not be tolerated and you will be politely asked to end your contact. Safeline services will be withheld from individuals who are deemed to be misusing the services in any way or who are abusive to staff. Concerns will be raised, monitored and escalated appropriately.