Sexual assault is a horrifying experience for someone to go through. It can change the way they look at life and make it very difficult to trust people again.

Unfortunately, millions of people around the world are still subjected to this horror today.

If someone you know is a victim of sexual assault, experienced sexual assault lawyers can help them seek justice and ensure that the perpetrator doesn’t escape unscathed.

It is important for survivors to have a supportive environment to heal, so those around them should be prepared to help. Here are a few ways they can do so.

Supporting a Sexual Assault Survivor

Educate Yourself

As a family member or friend to a survivor of sexual assault, understanding what they have been through can help you support them better. You can do so by reading up on sexual assault, what it is, how it can affect victims, and the legal options available to them.

Knowing the impact of sexual abuse helps you understand how to treat them, the areas in which they need help, and the warning signs to watch out for. Often, people are not aware of the extent of damage an event can have on someone’s life unless they read up about it.

Check In Regularly

The best way you can help is by checking in with them regularly. They may seem put together and going about their daily life, but they may actually need help or a listening ear.

Drop a message asking them how they’re doing, ask to meet up for coffee, or offer to help with the groceries. This lets them know that you care and that you’re around to help if they ever need it.

Surviving sexual assault can be overwhelming, and many victims may struggle to get through everyday tasks or be too afraid to speak up. Knowing that there’s someone around who really cares and is willing to help can be reassuring for them.

Don’t Pressure Them to Share Details

It is important that you wait for the survivor to share details of the assault with you and not push them to do so before they’re ready. They may not feel safe to share the details yet, or they may not have fully processed what happened.

It’s important to give survivors time, as being pushy can make them relive the details of the assault.

Encourage Them to Get Professional Help

While you can provide support, there are things that you cannot do, which is why it’s important for the survivor to get professional help.

A psychologist or other mental health professional trained to handle sexual assault can guide survivors to overcome trauma. They can also teach them essential tools to handle day-to-day life and to trust people again.

Let the Survivor Lead

Lastly, it is important to let the survivor make their own decisions. After experiencing something so horrific, it’s important for them to feel safe and know that their decisions are respected. Let them decide whether they want legal help and if they’re ready to see a psychologist. While it is important to show them that it’s okay to get help, they shouldn’t feel pressured to do so.

You could help by looking up clinics or other hospitals that offer help to sexual assault victims and setting up an appointment whenever they’re ready.

Conclusion

In conclusion, sexual assault can be tricky to navigate, and having understanding and supportive people around to help is crucial for survivors. If you know someone who has faced sexual assault, there are a few ways you can assist, including just listening to them, helping them out with everyday tasks, and encouraging them to get professional help.

While you can’t erase a survivor’s pain, you can make life easier and much more bearable for them by just being there. Getting legal assistance can also help build a safe environment and bring about some closure.