How to Help a Friend

If a friend or acquaintance tells you about an unwanted sexual experience:

• Support them by listening, believing, and taking it seriously.
• Do not judge a survivor's actions. It does not matter whether you feel they are right or wrong, and it does not matter if you feel they made poor decisions. Your friend needs your support.
• Encourage survivors to seek help from qualified counselors who are experienced in helping survivors of sexual assault.
• Allow the survivor to decide to report, or not report, the sexual assault to police. Support that decision.
• Be gentle, sensitive, and respectful of the survivor's wishes for closeness or affection.
• Recognize that recovery and healing takes a long time. Be patient.