Helping those who have been raped or sexually assault:
♥ Listen. Be there. Don’t be judgmental.
♥ Be patient. Remember, it will take time for them to deal with the crime.
♥ Encourage them to report the rape to law enforcement. If they have questions about the criminal justice process, an online hotline trained volunteer or staff can help.
♥ Help to empower them. Sexual assault is a crime that takes away an individual’s power; it is important not to compound this experience by putting pressure on the victim to do things that they are not ready to do yet.
♥ Encourage them to call the hotline, but realize that only they can make the decision to get help.
