How Can You Help?

Do…

• Offer unconditional friendship and support.
• Be clear that you are there to listen, and not to judge.
• Tell the person that it is not his/her fault.
• Accept what he/she tells you.
• Identify the unhealthy behaviors.
• Acknowledge the scariness of sexual violence or relationship violence.
• Encourage the person to build a support system.

Don’t…

• Spread gossip.
• Directly confront the abuser.
• Blame the person for the assault or abuse.
• Rush, make sure you have time to listen.
• Make them do something they are not ready to do.
• Criticize the person.