Survivor Advocacy Services

Friends/Faculty

Remind your loved one that what happened is not their fault. While you may not understand or know everything, it is important for a victim/survivor to feel like they have been heard. 

Affirm their feelings in that they are valid and that there is nothing wrong with how they may be feeling. 

Listen to understand rather than listening to respond. Your loved one needs an ear to listen more than a coach telling them what to do.
Let them make their decisions on their own; it is important for them to reclaim power and control that they may have lost.

Share with them that Survivor Advocacy Services can assist them with processing their trauma and coordinating any further services that they may need. 
Find more resources: here

 

While you may be tempted to keep everything secretive and your loved one may even ask you to promise not to say anything, it is best to use your own judgement.

If your friend is in immediate physical danger, at risk of hurting themselves or another person, please utilize resources that are listed on our website and/or call 911 if it is an emergency.