Rory's story - overcoming date rape
A sexual abuse charity says the series - which tells the story of how the serial killer, Stephen Port, used a date rape drug on his victims - doubled the number of men calling in.
Calls to a male sexual abuse helpline run by Safeline more than doubled in 2021 – compared with 2020. The charity says 7,000 people contacted them for support last year.
It credits programmes like the recent Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ One Drama 'Four Lives' for raising awareness of the issue. The series tells the story of how the serial killer, Stephen Port, met young men on dating apps before assaulting and murdering them using overdoses of the date rape drug GHB. Safeline says it saw around a 50% increase in calls to its male helpline in the week after the programme aired.
The charity estimates that as many as one in six men have been sexually abused or assaulted, but says very few ask for help. Rory, who’s 28, is one young man who is speaking out about his experience. For 5 Minutes On, he shares how he was drugged and assaulted – and why he’s turned his back on the shame he initially felt.
