In my last post where I discoursed tips to recover from rape, I said in the later part that a rape victim should always ask for help from trusted people around. Let me say that anybody can be approached by a victim for help and it take wisdom to be able to handle the situation and not course more pain to the rape victim. That is why I have decided to put up this post in order to guild.
There is usually a friend in which survivors of sexual and relationship violence confide in. You can be in the position to help your friend to solve this problem. You can help to influence the healing process of a victim by listening, believing and supporting your friend.
Here are some suggestions or information that can help you to support your friend:
Listen and Support
It is usually a tough thing to behold when you hear that your friend has been a victim of sexual abuse. The worst thing to do is to do nothing. You might not be able to solve their problem immediately but you can offer support.
It takes a lot of courage for the victim to share their experience and what they need most is understanding and support.
For the rape victim to express his or her feelings well, it is important to provide a non-judgmental environment, support and emotional comfort for him or her.
It is also important to assure him or her that he or she can talk with you. Take your time to listen and don’t rush to give solution. He or she may try to go over and over the assault, replaying it in his or her mind. Listen without judgment as often as your friend would like.
Believe Your Friend
The fear that people won’t believe their story is the most common reason why people sexually abused choose not to tell anyone about their experience. You should know that people don’t lie about abuse. For someone to tell you about his or her experience means he or she needs someone that can be trust to talk to and he or she has found you to be that person.
It is rare for people to make up stories of abuse. If your friend says he or she is hurt, just believe him or her.
Believe whatever your friend tells you. You have to know that it is always difficult for rape victims to talk about their experience.
Many people do not believe that men can be the victim of a rape - this could not be farther from the truth