April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month

During this final week of Sexual Assault Awareness, we focus on how we can help prevent sexual assault and support survivors.

To support loved ones who survive sexual assault, Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN) recommends we:

Believe them. There may be others who will doubt your loved one. Make it clear that you believe what they are telling you.
Tell them this is not their fault, and they don’t deserve this. Victims often blame themselves for what has happened. There is also a societal tendency to blame victims for what has happened to them. Your loved one needs to hear from you that no matter what they were wearing, drinking or doing, they did not deserve this, nor is it their fault.
Tell them there are people who want to help. Victims often feel isolated and helpless. Remind them that they are not alone and there are many people and organizations that are qualified and willing to help them through the healing process, whether that involves pressing charges, getting medical care, seeing someone to talk through the trauma, or just exploring their options. See sexual violence resources available to survivors.
Offer to take the next step to accessing help with them. Making that first step to get help from a professional can be extremely hard. Offering to make the first step with them, whether that is calling a resource center or going to the hospital, make the difference between your loved one accessing help or not.