Friends, Family, and Partners
It can be hard to see your friend, family member or partner struggling or in distress following what happened to them. Family, friends, and partners can often feel helpless and not sure how best to support a friend or loved one. We also understand the impact this can have on you, and you deserve support too.
If you are finding it hard to support someone you can contact us, we can offer you a one-off support session with a worker who is not supporting the survivor in order to maintain the survivor’s confidentiality.
We provide support which is trauma informed. This means that all our staff have an understanding of how trauma can impact a survivor’s life; their mental, physical, social and emotional wellbeing.
The principles of Trauma Informed Practice are at the heart of our support and, you can use the same principles when supporting someone who has experienced sexual violence.
Safety
Ensuring physical and emotional safety, the environment where the disclosure takes place is key. Whenever possible this should be in a confidential, and comfortable space.
Not asking for details about the sexual violence, going at the survivors’ pace, being mindful of the impact of the disclosure on their wellbeing.
Trust
Doing what you said you would, not making promises that can’t be kept. Believing the survivor from disclosure. Don’t share the information they have disclosed to you with others without their consent. If there are child or adult protection concerns this would be the exception and you should report this to social services or the police. Young people should tell an adult they trust. If this is necessary, you or the trusted adult should explain to the survivor why you need to do this, for example to prevent further harm.
Choice
Survivors of sexual violence can feel like all control has been taken away from them. It is vital to give this control back to the survivor whenever possible. For example, survivors having control over what happens next and what support is available, i.e., reporting to police or not.
Understanding the options available to them and understanding their rights. You may signpost or refer to one of our services on their behalf. If you do this, you must have the consent of the survivor to pass on their information.
Empowerment
Support survivors to take their own steps towards reclaiming control of their lives, don’t tell them what they should or shouldn’t do. Creating an environment where survivors feel heard, validated, and supported will benefit them in their recovery.
Collaboration
Standing alongside a survivor and supporting them to make the right decisions for them, assisting them to assert their rights whenever possible.
