Sexual Assault Awareness Month: Five ways to support sexual assault survivors

By Amanda Briggs/Rise Above Violence

Learning someone you know or love has experienced sexual violence is heartbreaking. It can be difficult to know what to do or say in those moments. 

Sexual Assault Awareness Month is a great time to invest in learning healthy strategies for response. Here are five ways you can support survivors who trust you with their story:

1. Believe them. Studies show that 92 to 98 percent of reports regarding sexual violence are true. In instances where the victim is a child, 98 percent of reports are true. It is safe to believe survivors.
2. Keep your body language open. Having calm and relaxed body language signals to the survivor that you can handle what they are saying.
3. Model appropriate emotions. Survivors often direct anger, shame and embarrassment at themselves instead of directing it at the perpetrator. Many survivors learn how to have a healthy emotional response to their trauma by watching safe, trusted people in their lives model appropriate anger and grief.
4. Encourage them to seek mental health care. We cannot force survivors to seek mental health care, but gentle and well-timed conversations can help a survivor consider the benefits of professional support.
5. Follow up. Many survivors struggle in the aftermath of sharing their story with another person. Following up within 24 hours signals to the survivor that it was safe to trust you and that you care.

These simple practices can help the survivors in your life feel safe letting you know when they need support in their healing journey. 

We at Rise Above Violence encourage you to continue learning about the impacts of sexual assault and how to provide safe support to survivors by following us on social media, checking out the resources on our website and participating in our awareness events throughout the year.
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If you are a survivor in need of support, please know you can reach out to us at any time through our 24-hour hotline: (970) 264-9075. All calls are free and confidential, and it is our honor to walk next to you as you seek support and healing.