In Australia, men are three times more likely to die by suicide than women.
A study undertaken by Griffith University researchers explored the intersections of men, suicide and child sexual abuse, revealing the lifelong impacts of adverse childhood experiences on adult survivors’ mental health and suicide risk.
Professor Patrick O’Leary, Co-Director of the Griffith University Disrupting Violence Beacon and Chief Investigator for the ARC Centre of Excellence for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, led the research which analysed 47 recent studies in international peer reviewed journals on child sexual abuse and suicidality in adulthood.
“In a quarter of the studies, a clear and direct link between child sexual abuse and suicidality was found.
“Several studies reported child sexual abuse was, over and above other forms of maltreatment, linked to suicidality.” Professor O’Leary said.
There were several factors that potentially differentiated men’s experience of child sexual abuse from women.
Male survivors experienced up to ten times the rate of suicidality compared to community populations and took longer to disclose and seek help than women.
They often engaged in externalising behaviour such as alcohol and drug use to deal with their trauma.
Other research showed male survivors can struggle with shame and stigma, with some adopting a hypermasculine persona in which they display risk-taking and aggression.
The research aligned with the experience of those who accessed support through Survivors and Mates Support Network, one of Australia’s leading organisations for male survivors of child sexual abuse.
Craig Hughes-Cashmore, CEO of SAMSN and a survivor himself, said it was not possible to expect survivors to come forward and talk if they felt invisible and had nowhere to go where they would be understood.
“My first suicide attempt landed me in hospital when I was 21.” said Mr Hughes Cashmore.
“Suicidal thoughts persisted for almost 20 years until I started to talk about my experiences of child sexual abuse with a psychologist who knew their stuff.
“For the past 14 years I have had the honour of working alongside my fellow survivors.
What I have come to appreciate at depth, is the healing power of peer support in this space.”
Professor O’Leary said despite the compelling statistics linking adverse childhood experiences and particularly child sexual abuse to suicide, investment in specialist services for male survivors to address this national tragedy was sadly lacking.
“Current responses focusing just on mental health fail to address the complex set of intersections involved.
“Education and awareness-raising, and health promotion campaigns should be a priority.
“Policy and practice need to address impacts of child sexual abuse that intersect with suicidality, along with mental health, social disadvantage, substance abuse, violence and other risk-taking behaviour.
“Urgent action is needed to save lives.”
This study informed a roundtable report in 2025 and is part of an ongoing research and action project jointly undertaken by Survivors and Mates Support Network (SAMSN), the Griffith University Disrupting Violence Beacon (DVB) and the Centre of Excellence for the Elimination of Violence Against Women (CEVAW).
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