How Can I Help My Loved One?

How to Help Your Loved One:

If your loved one has been through sexual assault and/or harassment and you are struggling with knowing how to support them, here are some resources for knowing how to do that. Remember, this is a hard topic and it can be hard to know how to help someone and that is okay. Do not be afraid to seek mental health help for yourself as well as your loved one.

How to talk to someone with a survivor:

• Reaffirm them, make them feel validated

  • Say:

    • "I believe you"

    • "It took courage to tell me this"

    • "What happened is not your fault"

    • "You do not deserve this"

    • "You are not alone"

    • "I am here to talk about this in any way that you are comfortable doing"

• Do not judge them

• Continue to check in with them

• It can also help to know your resources, especially if they are struggling mentally and considering suicide. Here is the number to the National Suicide Prevention Hotline in case you need it:

  • 800.273.TALK (8255)

If you need some more help on knowing how to help your loved one, here are some more resources for that:

www.rainn.org/articles/tips-talking-survivors-sexual-assault

www.nytimes.com/2019/02/27/smarter-living/sexual-abuse-assault-support-mental-health.html

www.healthpartners.com/blog/how-to-support-survivors-of-sexual-assault/

www.owu.edu/about/title-ix-sexual-misconduct-and-the-clery-act/supporting-someone-that-has-experienced-harassment-or-assault/

www.pcar.org/sites/default/files/resource-pdfs/friends_and_family_guide_final.pdf

thebluebench.org/get-help/for-myself/groups-and-workshop-descriptions.html