How to Support and Help Sexual Assault Survivors

Do you know someone that has experienced sexual assault? You might have challenges not knowing what to say to a sexual assault survivor.

You may also have concerns about the way you act when you’re around them. Sexual assault survivors need the best support and protection that will enable them to safely move on with their lives.

Here’s how you can minimize their suffering.

Research Information

Your role is to learn as much as you can about sexual assault and you can also learn about California sexual assault laws. Educating yourself about this issue can help you to have a better understanding of the painful emotions and experiences survivors have to face.

If you know a friend or family member that is a sexual assault survivor, you can make a list of resources and websites to help them.

Survivors can get help from online forums, sexual assault programs, chat rooms, and other valuable resources that are beneficial to them. Collecting resources and learning about sexual assault is a smart way for you to provide support to someone you care about.

Listen to Them

One of the most helpful things to do for a survivor is to listen to them. Sexual assault survivors need someone who they can trust when they are ready to talk.

Being patient and listening to a survivor indicates you care for them. This is also a way for you to make yourself trustworthy.

Listening to a survivor takes the pressure off their shoulders and lets them know they can rely on you to feel at ease about their situation.

Don’t Judge Them

Try not to judge sexual abuse survivors because this can cause a setback in their healing. Remember, it’s difficult for survivors to share their stories, so you should be calm and positive.

It might also be traumatic to them if you say judgmental things that will hurt their feelings or make them feel guilty about the sexual assault.

For these reasons, you should be careful with your choice of words when you’re addressing a survivor. Being non-judgmental and believing a survivor can have a great impact on their mentality.

Let them know they are not alone or to blame for the sexual assault.

Get Professional Help

You can make suggestions for your friend or family member to get professional counseling. This is essential if you’re worried about their long-term well-being.

Regular counseling sessions can be helpful to a survivor. These sessions can help to alleviate their suffering and for them to be less affected by the assault.

Pay Attention to Sexual Assault Survivors

Knowing how to help sexual assault survivors is critical to their healing process. By increasing your knowledge and knowing what to do during this crisis, you have the chance to provide them with long-term support.

The more support you extend to a survivor, the easier it is for them to deal with their circumstances.

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