How to support a loved one after a sexual assault
Written by SAFE
During Sexual Assault Awareness Month in April, SAFE’s Sexual Assault Services team took over our official Instagram. Posts included an introduction to Sexual Assault Services staff, facts about the prevalence of sexual violence on Asian and Pacific Islander people, information about sexual violence against Indigenous people in the U.S., and more.
In one post, our experts describe ways that you can be a strong support for a survivor of sexual assault in your life. You an see that content below. And to see the entire social takeover, click here to check out @safeatx on Instagram!
Image description: An image with the text: “How to support a loved one after a sexual assault. believe. listen. support.” The background is off white.
Image description: An image with the text: “Provide survivor with safety to discuss emotions and feelings (normalize survivor’s feelings).” Allow survivor to regain control over life by making choices–even when choices seem small (i.e., deciding what to eat for dinner). Allow survivor to recover and heal a their own pace.”
Image description: An image with the text: “Educate yourself about rape myths and your own biases. Remind survivor that rape and/or abuse was not their fault. Place the blame where it belongs–on the perpetrator. Continue to live and talk the way you always have.”
Image description: An image with the text: “Ask about what concerns them the most and listen seriously and sensitively. Provide information about support services, and help the survivor connect to them. Take care of yourself and know your own limits–seek out support for yourself from someone other than the victim.”
Image description: An image with the text: “Don’t blame the survivor. Don’t pressure them to tell you details of the rape/assault. It’s their recovery and they need to have control over sharing their story. Don’t tell survivor’s story to others without their permission. Respect their privacy.”
Image description: An image with the text: “Don’t promote unhealthy dependence on you by making decisions for them or being over protective. Don’t try to take their mind off the event and not allow them to talk about the rape/abuse. Don’t avoid the subject. Encourage expressions of feelings about the sexual assault.”
Image description: An image with the text: “Don’t impose the terms/length of survivor’s recovery. Don’t communicate themes of revenge as that may heighten survivor’s worry about safety. Don’t question their decision making at the time of the rape/incident (i.e., why didn’t you scream?)”
