Male sexual abuse charity referrals increase 53% due to Baby Reindeer

The show has been a huge word-of-mouth hit since its release.

Manchester based charity We Are Survivors, which aims to "create and facilitate safe spaces for male (including trans and non-binary) survivors of sexual abuse, rape and sexual exploitation", has seen referrals skyrocket since the popular series debuted.

Sharing stats on their Instagram, the charity revealed that they’ve had an 80% increase in ‘first time callers’ asking about support.

They have also had a 40% increase in referrals from young people aged 26-35.

Creator and star of the series Richard Gadd shared the charity's post, which read: "In the first two weeks after its launch on Netflix, 53% of all referrals to We Are Survivors told us Baby Reindeer was the main reason they reached out to us."

Male sexual abuse charity referrals increase 53% due to Baby Reindeer

Adapted from Gadd's one-man-show of the same name and based on real events, Baby Reindeer follows a comedian who becomes the victim of an intense stalker, as well as being in an abusive relationship with a TV writer.

"It’s very emotionally true, obviously," Gadd told the Guardian upon the show's release.

"I was severely stalked and severely abused. But we wanted it to exist in the sphere of art, as well as protect the people it’s based on.”

Gadd has also previously spoken out about his experiences as a survivor and how it felt to relive his trauma while filming his hit Netflix series.

"It was tough, I can’t deny," he said in an interview with Variety.

"I mean, who in their right mind wants to revisit the worst thing that ever happened to them? The worst period of their life?

"Of course, it affects you and leaves a bit of an imprint on you. But at the same time, I do sometimes feel that revisiting pain and re-experiencing things can lead to a better understanding of them.”

Baby Reindeer has become a Netflix sensation since its release in April, amassing nearly 54 million views.

The 7-episode series has also been Netflix’s top English-language series for three consecutive weeks and holds an impressive 98% on Rotten Tomatoes.