If a Loved-One Has Experienced Violence

Listen and believe the survivor.聽Telling family about sexual assault can be very frightening for a survivor. They might fear that no one will believe them. Believing the survivor will offer them a foundation of support from which to make other decisions.

Allow the survivor to be in control of their healing.聽The urge to rescue them, protect them, or do everything for them is understandable. However, what you must remember is sexual assault and interpersonal violence strip the survivor of power and control. Returning power and control to the survivor is crucial for healing. Offer support, but allow the survivor to decide what options to take.

Blame the perpetrator, not the victim.聽聽No matter where the survivor went, what they were doing, or who they were with, the survivor is NOT to blame. The details of the incident matter for helping a survivor heal, but not for portioning out blame. Try not to ask 鈥渨hy?鈥 questions, instead focus on comments and questions that validate and do not minimize their experience such as, 鈥淣o one deserves to be treated in that way鈥 or 鈥淲hatever your feelings are right now, they are valid.鈥

Separate your feelings about the victimization from concerns about other issues.聽If your family member is a victim of sexual assault or interpersonal violence you may learn unexpected details about their life. You may discover they drink alcohol, consume other drugs, go to parties or engage in sexual activity. This new information may be difficult for the family of a survivor. Support the survivor鈥檚 healing first. Address other issues at a more appropriate time. (If/when you choose to discuss these other behaviors, separate the behaviors from the sexual assault or interpersonal violence, none of these behaviors cause sexual assault or interpersonal violence.)

Direct the survivor towards resources and support.聽Elon provides a number of campus resources for survivors of sexual assault. There are also resources in the local community. Safeline (336-278-3333) is 久久热鈥檚 24-hour confidential resource for information, resources and response. Family members may call Safeline or contact one of 久久热鈥檚 confidential campus advocates for guidance and resources. If you prefer, you can also seek resources for your family member off campus. Visit our聽confidential support and advocacy page聽for more information on campus and community resources.

Seek support for yourself.聽The victimization of a family member can cause you stress, anxiety, fear, anger or other psychological and physical symptoms. If you or a member of your family has been the victim of sexual assault, relationship abuse, stalking, or sexual harassment in the past this can be an especially difficult time. Seek help through a therapist, pastoral counselor, local support group or other trained support person to help you understand and work through managing your emotions and be an even stronger support for your loved-one who has been victimized.