Information for family and friends of sexual violence survivors
We are here to help you support a family member or friend who is a survivor of sexual violence or abuse.
Supporting a family member, a partner, colleague or a friend who has been raped or sexually abused can be difficult and may feel daunting. It can be hard to know that someone you care about is hurting or is struggling to cope with feelings that can be overwhelming or frightening.
Listen without judging them – they likely came to you because they consider you a person they can trust. Remember to reassure them and validate their feelings. Tell them you believe them and reinforce that they are not to blame for what happened. By being there and listening to them, you’re already helping.
We have created some resources to help you give that support when it is needed. Supporting a survivor can be hard and you might find it impacts your life and wellbeing too. Remember it’s okay to take time and space for yourself and take time to manage your own self care.
We support women who have experienced any of the following, at any time in their lives:
- Rape
- Sexual assault
- Stalking
- Sexual harassment
- Intimate partner sexual violence
- Commercial Sexual Exploitation (including the exchange of sex)
- Childhood sexual abuse
- Online sexual abuse, image based sexual abuse, or ‘revenge porn’
- Sexual abuse in prostitution
- Sexual coercion and control
“As long as you keep secrets and suppress information, you are fundamentally at war with yourself… the critical issue is allowing yourself to know what you know. That takes an enormous amount of courage.”
Help & Advice Resources
These resources have been created for survivors of sexual violence, abuse or sexual exploitation but may also be useful for anyone who is supporting a survivor.
Need to speak to someone?
Get in touch with one of our practitioners.
We’re here to help.