How Family & Friends Can Help
After a sexual assault, the victim needs to:
Get medical attention. Feel safe. Be believed. Know it wasn't his fault. Take control of his life. Things you can do to help:
Listen, don't judge. Try to simply understand his feelings. Offer shelter. If possible, stay with him at his place or let him stay at yours. Be there and give comfort. He may need to talk a lot or at odd hours at the beginning. Be there as much as you can and encourage him to talk to others. Encourage him to seek professional help (See List of Resources at the end of the brochure). Be patient. Don't try to rush the healing process or quickly "make it better." Accept his choice of what to do about the sexual assault -- don't be overly protective. Ask him what he needs, help him list his options, then encourage him to make his own decisions. Even if you disagree. It is very important that he make his own decisions and have them respected. Put aside your feelings and get support for yourself. It may be too overwhelming for him to deal with your angry feelings on top of his own. If you have strong angry feelings or feelings of blame toward the survivor, talk to a friend or call a hotline.
Get medical attention. Feel safe. Be believed. Know it wasn't his fault. Take control of his life. Things you can do to help:
Listen, don't judge. Try to simply understand his feelings. Offer shelter. If possible, stay with him at his place or let him stay at yours. Be there and give comfort. He may need to talk a lot or at odd hours at the beginning. Be there as much as you can and encourage him to talk to others. Encourage him to seek professional help (See List of Resources at the end of the brochure). Be patient. Don't try to rush the healing process or quickly "make it better." Accept his choice of what to do about the sexual assault -- don't be overly protective. Ask him what he needs, help him list his options, then encourage him to make his own decisions. Even if you disagree. It is very important that he make his own decisions and have them respected. Put aside your feelings and get support for yourself. It may be too overwhelming for him to deal with your angry feelings on top of his own. If you have strong angry feelings or feelings of blame toward the survivor, talk to a friend or call a hotline.
