National Domestic Violence Hotline (U.S.)
24/7 · Free · Confidential · Chat and text options. Serves all genders. thehotline.org
Text START to 88788
Help
Resources that take male victims seriously
U.S. and Canada. You deserve confidential help without being laughed out of the room. Start with crisis lines, then build a team: therapist, lawyer, trusted friend.
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (U.S.)
Call or text 988 if you are in emotional crisis or having thoughts of suicide. 24/7.
VictimConnect Resource Center
Referrals and confidential information for crime victims in the U.S. victimconnect.org
Canada — full provincial directory
All 13 provinces & territories →
Every region’s main family-violence and crisis lines, male-specific options where published, legal notes, and 211 navigation.
Canada — 988 Suicide Crisis Helpline
Call or text 988 (Canada). 24/7 mental-health crisis support.
Canada — Crisis Services
24/7. Text 45645. Suicide prevention and crisis support nationwide.
Canada — 211 + shelters
Local services in most regions. Shelter locator: sheltersafe.ca. Official lists: canada.ca family violence services.
Canada — Hope for Wellness (Indigenous)
24/7 for First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples. Chat available at hopeforwellness.ca
Canada — quick provincial lines
AB 310-1818 · BC/YT VictimLink 1-800-563-0808 · MB 1-877-977-0007 · NB 1-844-853-0811 · NL 1-888-709-7090 · NS 1-855-225-0220 · ON 211 / Victim Support 1-888-579-2888 · PE 1-800-240-9894 · QC 1-800-363-9010 · SK 211 · NT 1-866-223-7775 · NU 1-800-265-3333 · Full details →
RAINN (sexual assault)
National Sexual Assault Hotline — if sexual coercion or assault is part of your situation.
UK & Ireland (also helpful)
Support for male victims of domestic abuse in the UK: mensadviceline.org.uk · ManKind Initiative: mankind.org.uk · Helpline 0808 800 1170
Ireland — Men’s Aid
Support for male victims: mensaid.ie
Living in Canada?
Open the complete provincial and territorial helpline guide — including Alberta Men’s Helpline, Ontario male survivor lines, VictimLink BC/Yukon, SOS violence conjugale, and more.
Canada: all provinces & territoriesProfessional help to seek
A small team beats white-knuckling alone.
Trauma-informed therapist
Look for experience with emotional abuse, coercive control, or complex trauma. Ask directly if they work with male victims. Couples therapy is often a poor fit while abuse is active.
Family lawyer (U.S. attorney / Canadian counsel)
Especially if children, shared property, or threats of false allegations exist. Bring a written timeline. Ask about temporary orders/protection, evidence rules, and documentation strategy in your state or province.
Primary care / psych evaluation
Anxiety, depression, insomnia, and somatic symptoms are common. Rule out medical issues; discuss whether medication short-term could help you function while you plan.
Reading & learning (starting points)
Prefer material that is practical and non-sensational. Pair reading with real-world action.
Understand the tactics
Reputable overviews of narcissistic abuse, gaslighting, and the idealize–devalue–discard–hoover cycle (e.g. clinical and major mental-health education sites such as HelpGuide, Talkspace education articles, and domestic-abuse organizations).
High-conflict communication
BIFF methods and structured co-parenting communication reduce fuel in writing. Search for BIFF from Bill Eddy / High Conflict Institute materials.
Male victims of DV
HelpGuide’s resources on domestic violence against men, The Hotline’s materials for people of all genders, and country-specific men’s advice lines listed above.
If someone you love is the man in this situation
Believe patterns, not PR. Do not confront his partner on his behalf without a safety plan. Offer concrete help: a couch, a lawyer referral, a ride, childcare, a second set of eyes on a timeline. Shame keeps men quiet — curiosity and steadiness open doors.