Tips for the Friends & Family
If you know someone that is being abused or has been sexually assaulted, you can help. Friends and family members can provide a safe and trusting place for the victim to recover. In addition to helping the survivor, you have to make sure you take care of your needs and feelings also. It can be hard to see someone close to you go through such an experience. Knowing the right steps to take and how to contact resources that can help is very important for you to know.
Below are some helpful tips that you can do to help your friend or family member:
Below are some helpful tips that you can do to help your friend or family member:
- Believing them is important. If someone tells you about the assault, it is they need to talk and they trust you.
- Offering a comfortable and safe place to stay away from the abuser is one of the best things you can do. Taking them out of the situation for a while can help the victim take the next steps to recovery.
- Be there to comfort and listen. It will not be easy for the victim to talk about their abuse, but if you make sure they know that you will be there to be supportive and listen, it will be easier for the victim to open up.
- If a survivor opens up to you, respect their privacy. Make sure you don't gossip or tell anyone that doesn't have to know. Allow the them to tell whoever they want in their own time.
- It is important that you support and validate the survivor’s feelings toward the experience even if they include anger, pain or fear. These are natural, healthy responses that need to be expressed and heard in order to heal.
- If your friend or family member needs medical attention or other emergency help or support, it is your job to help them find the right resources that they need.
- If you need to talk to someone, try to find a professional that will not betray your friend's trust and confidentiality.