There is Hope. There is Healing.

Men and Abortion

As a man you may or may not have played a role in your partner’s decision to have an abortion. If the abortion has been recent, there can often be relationship struggles for a period of time. Whatever your story, you may now be experiencing negative reactions. Help is available.

Men do suffer after abortion. Available studies indicate that the emotional impact of abortion on men may include depression, guilt, shame and aggressive behaviour. Some men also demonstrate self-destructive behaviour such as abusing alcohol, drugs and sex. A large percentage of unmarried relationships dissolve following an abortion.

Men can experience Post Abortion Stress regardless of the level of involvement in the abortion decision. When the grief is not acknowledged or expressed, you may find yourself in distress. This is called post abortion stress.

The role you played could be any of the following:

• Insisting or forcing your wife or girlfriend to have an abortion.
• Trying actively to stop the abortion because you didn’t want it.
• Finding out about the abortion after it was completed and so you had no voice in the decision.
• Intentionally leaving the decision whether to abort with your wife or girlfriend. “I will support you no matter what decision you make.”
• Having a say in an abortion decision-making process concerning a woman that was not your partner (sister, friend, daughter).
• Abandoning the relationship with your partner on finding out she was pregnant, leaving her completely unsupported.
• Paying for the abortion (if it was outside Canada).

If you or someone you know may be struggling with a past abortion decision, please contact us at 604-525-0999 or info@pacscanada.org. Individual peer counselling, support groups, and abortion recovery retreats are available.

Peer counselling services are free and confidential. Men do suffer after abortion. If you are struggling with a past abortion decision, help is available.

Please contact us today.