Coronation Street shines spotlight on domestic abuse against men
We have made a concerted effort to publish more information about male victims of domestic abuse. While it may appear that we have learned a new trick that we just aren't getting bored of, in some ways it is a tacit acceptance that we haven't written enough about it.
Surprisingly, one avenue that has allowed us to continue to highlight this is through the world's longest running soap - Corrie.
Domestic abuse is often imagined as physical violence and, in public perception, typically associated with women as victims. More often than not, this is the case, but the the full picture is more complex. Men can (and do) experience intimate partner abuse in various forms, notably through coercive and controlling behaviours that erode autonomy
One recent high-profile storyline in Coronation Street has drawn attention to this reality. The plot follows Todd Grimshaw’s relationship with his partner Theo Silverton, showing how charm and affection can mask manipulation that increasingly isolates and controls the victim. Though fictional, the storyline has been praised for illustrating how coercive control is not always obvious from one occurrence, but rather a pattern of behaviours that gradually degrade victims.
Empower blogs have alluded to coercive control in some detail, but for the purposes of this blog it is a specific form of domestic abuse. Unlike physical violence, it operates through repeated behaviours that impose restrictions - both literal and metaphorical - on an individual's life. This may include manipulation, gaslighting, or isolation from those closest to us. In a sentence: It is the systematic removal of autonomy.
Gaslighting is particularly prevalent in the storyline. In the show, Todd is manipulated into believing negative things about himself and distanced from support networks, mirroring real-world accounts where victims don’t even realise they’re being abused until it’s deeply entrenched.
Societal stereotypes about masculinity and abuse complicate things. Many still find it hard to accept that men can be victims of domestic abuse, which ultimately leads to silence.
In 2019, research agency Atomik found that more than a third of men in the UK had been a victim in a coercive relationship. With increasing awareness and more encouragement to speak out seven years later, it is not outrageous to assume that proportion would have increased.
It is obviously positive that an issue not spoken of enough is featuring on ITV five nights a week, but without intending to directly contradict the last point, there are still barriers to sharing experiences for male victims, notably embarrassment and fear of not being believed.
In 2024, a study by Queen's University Belfast and Northern Ireland's commissioner for the victims of crime found that more than half of men in the country who suffer domestic abuse do not disclose it.
Abuse occurs with and without physical harm. Coercive control can be equally as damaging over time. It systematically weakens mental health, but unlike physical harm, it can be difficult to spot or notice, even amongst those closest to you. UK law recognises controlling and coercive behaviour as a criminal offence, reflecting this understanding.
Yet despite the legal framework, societal understanding lags behind. Awareness campaigns, high-profile media portrayals like Coronation Street, and wider public discussion are essential to challenge existing stereotypes.
When male victims are overlooked or dismissed, they carry fear and shame, and the results can be tragic. In highlighting coercive control, ITV continues to advocate for healthier relationships, even if they don't mean to.