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Helping Someone Who Has Been Raped
Finding out that a
friend or loved one has been raped can be an overwhelming experience.
You may feel shocked, confused and unsure of what needs to be done.
For victims to overcome sexual assault, they
need empathy, understanding and emotional support. It is
important to remember that individuals react differently to trauma, but
the following steps can help you when facing such a situation.
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Remain Calm
- It
is normal to feel shock or anger, but expressing these to the victim
may worsen their trauma, and they may feel that your anger is
directed at them personally.
-
Take
necessary steps to get the victim to safety
- The best way to do this is by calling your local law enforcement
department.
-
Seek
medical attention immediately -
Even if there is no outward sign of injury, encourage your friend to
go to the local emergency department or the Sexual Assault Nurse
Examiner (SANE) Facility at the Crisis Center (call 205-323-7273 or
888-323-7273). Some injuries may not be noticeable or obvious.
Also, evidence can be collected during an exam that may be needed if
a future decision is made to prosecute.
-
Let
the person who has been victimized express their feelings -
It may be hard to listen to what has happened, but this is an
important step in the victim’s healing process. However, if the
victim wishes to remain silent, do not force a discussion. Remember
this: if you don’t know what to say, that’s OK.
-
Let the
victim know you believe them and offer non-judgmental support
-
Many victims may feel blame toward themselves for
what has happened, or may fear that no one would believe them.
Believing and providing unconditional support is one of the most
important things you can do for someone who has been raped. After
all, they have been through one of the most horrible things that can
happen to a person, and survived. Here are some things you can say:
“I
believe you”
“You
survived, and did what you had to do to survive”
“It
is not your fault, and nothing you did could possibly
justify what happened”
“This does not change how I care and feel about you”
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Refer
your friend for ongoing professional assistance and seek help for
yourself - The crime of sexual assault can have
psychological impact on family and friends as well. You may be
likely to experience strong reactions when you hear of the assault,
such as rage, helplessness, and a desire for revenge. Counseling is
available to help you through these feelings. For more information
on services for friends and family, call Rape Response at (205)
323-7273 or (888) 323-7273.
You can also contact
Teen Link. Teen Link is a program of the Crisis Center.
Sometimes it’s easier to talk to someone who is trained to help or to
someone who doesn’t know you.
Click (here)
for information about Talking with a Counselor
Click (here)
for Information about Chatting Online with a Counselor |
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