How To Support A Survivor Of Sexual Abuse
If you’re supporting someone who has experienced sexual abuse, you may be worried about what to say or do, especially if they’re a friend or a family member. Remember that for a survivor, it can be challenging to disclose to someone they care about, so you should strive to be supportive and non-judgemental. Although it may be tempting to say or do nothing, or even pretend that nothing has happened, that’s one of the worst approaches you can take. Instead, you may want to consider the ideas below to show you empathise with the situation and demonstrate your continued support.
Stay Calm
While it’s normal to feel outraged and shocked at what your loved one has gone through, expressing these feelings and emotions may cause them to experience more confusion and pain. It’s important to listen to what your loved one has to say without any large or emotional outbursts. Avoid making threats to the perpetrator, as these comments may add additional stress to the situation. Show them that you’re listening and try not to interrupt, although you may have a lot of questions. Even if the event happened a long time ago, remember to check in with them periodically and remind them that you still care about their wellbeing.
Get Educated
One of the best ways to support a survivor of sexual abuse is to get educated on the issue and provide them with information on what they can do next. For example, you can help them find out more about sexual abuse solicitors and making sexual abuse claims. The team of specialist abuse solicitors at Hugh James have years of experience working with survivors of abuse and offering support with sexual abuse compensation. Therefore, it’s crucial to become familiar with the resources that you can recommend to a loved one and support them in making an informed decision.
Empower Your Loved One
When your friend or family member was sexually assaulted, they were stripped of their control of the situation. Although it can be tempting to take charge of what comes next, it’s important to ensure that they feel empowered to make decisions about what steps to take next. As much as you want justice for your loved one, avoid pressuring them into taking actions they’re not ready for. Instead, allow them to work through their feelings and explore their options. If they decide to get a medical exam or report the incident, offer to go with them and support them through the process.
Honour Their Recovery
Remember that there is no right or wrong way to feel or act after sexual abuse or violence, and only a survivor will know exactly what is best for them. This means that even if you don’t agree with their decisions, it’s crucial not to ignore them or judge them. Otherwise, you risk upsetting them even more or losing their trust. Moreover, the path to recovery looks different for everyone, so it’s important to stay patient and supportive, as your loved one works through this process. Be willing to listen and point them to appropriate resources, such as counselling, when needed.
