Helping a Friend

Supporting Survivors

Telling someone about a sexual assault takes a tremendous amount of bravery. Most survivors never tell a helping professional about the violence they have experienced.

I Believe You. It’s Not your Fault.

When a friend trusts us with their story it’s important to:

• Believe them.

• Let them know it’s not their fault. They did not cause the assault.

• Listen. Listen. Listen. This can be really difficult as we want to jump in and help, but please sit with them and listen. It can be a really big gift to your friend.

• Validate what ever feelings they are having. There is no right or wrong way to feel after an assault.

• Ask their permission before doing research or sharing their story. Sexual assault takes a tremendous amount of power away from survivors. Trusting survivors to make their own decisions after an assault is key.

• Ask if they’d like to explore options instead of giving advice. Avoid ‘shoulds’ , ‘musts’, and pressuring your friend to do what you think is right. Survivors get to choose what happens next. You can ask if they would like more information about getting medial care, collecting evidence, or reporting options, and as supporters, we have to be OK with the possibility of hearing ‘no’. Get to know the resources that they might need. Click here to learn about Dawson City helpers.

• Get support for yourself. It can be tremendously hard to sit with a friend who has been hurt. You deserve support too. The tricky part can be getting confidential support. You’re the expert at taking care of yourself and know that DWS’ 24 Hour Support Line has got your back to help to brainstorm resources and with confidential supportive listening - 867.993.5086.

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It can be scary when our friends are being abused

You deserve someone confidential to chat with. DWS’ 24 Hour Support Line is there for folks supporting survivors - 867.993.5086.