Tips to Support a Survivor
Last updated August 22, 2018
Whether you are a friend, partner, or family member, you can be a pivotal force in your loved one’s recovery from sexual assault. It is also important to recognize that the assault can be traumatizing for you as a loved one, so please make sure you practice self-care.
Tips
-
Believe every person
-
Be supportive and treat them with respect
-
Listen, listen, listen
-
Do not accuse or judge
-
Focus on the survivor’s emotions, not on actual facts about the assault
-
Offer them local resources and encourage them to seek professional counseling
-
Do not pretend the assault never happened
-
Reassure: THIS WAS NOT YOUR FAULT
It is normal to feel enraged that someone hurt your loved one, but the focus should remain on the survivor’s emotions.