How Can I Help?

​Did you know April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month?  This month is dedicated to understanding and bringing awareness to this devastating problem in our world.  Here are some haunting statistics: 1 in 5 women will  

be raped during her lifetime. One in 3 women and 1 in 6 men will experience some form on sexual violence over their lifetime. (Source: https://www.nsvrc.org/statistics).
It can be extremely difficult to know that a friend or family member has been victimized by sexual assault.  It can be harder still to know what to say or how to help.  But trust that your loved one needs your support.  Here are some tips to help you help your loved one should they ever be in a sexual assault situation.

1. Believe them.  If someone tells you about a sexual assault, believe what they say is true.  Our job is not to “find the truth”, but to support our loved one. 
2. Avoid judgement.  It does not matter where the person was at, what they were wearing, if they were drinking, flirting, or what they were doing.  The victim is NEVER at fault. 
3. Ask what they need.  Sometimes victims need support.  Sometimes they need help seeking help.  Sometimes they don’t know.  But offer and keep offering to help if you can.
4. Encourage them to seek help.  There are many emotional problems and worries that follow sexual violence.  There may be legal issues that arise.  There may be tests that need to be done.  Help is available from local sexual assault resources, counselors, law enforcement, etc.
5. Check in.  Keep checking in with your loved one.  Often times, people go on with their lives, but for a victim of sexual assault, the violence is often relived in their mind.  Recovery may take a while.  Continue to follow up with them.
6. Offer resources.  Help them find a local counselor.  Your area may have a sexual assault center.  You may help them find legal resources. 
7. Take care of yourself.  Learning that a friend or family member has been sexually assaulted can be devastating. Don’t forget to take care of yourself while trying to help the family member.

Here is another resources to help you help your loved one: https://www.nsvrc.org/how-to-help.  Take time to learn about sexual assault and how you can help prevent it as well as help friends and family who have been victimized by this heinous act.