Center for Counseling and Mental Health Wellness

Helping a Friend who has been Sexually Assaulted

Be available.

• Provide a safe environment.
• If possible, stay with your friend.

Be attentive.

• Listen and accept what you hear.
• Do not press for details.
• Allow your friend to share some of his or her feelings.

Assure your friend.

• Make sure she/he knows the violence is not her/his fault, that she/he is not alone, and that help is available.
• Put your own judgments and opinions on hold. Your friend needs to know that she/he will not be judged or rejected by you.

Be your friend’s advocate.

• Help your friend access information about medical care, reporting, and counseling by reviewing the "If You Are A Victim Of Sexual Violence" section.
• Obtain information about all available resources, such as Tennessee Tech's Center for Counseling and Mental Health Wellness or Genesis House Sexual Assault Response Center, and give the details to your friend.
• Encourage your friend to obtain a medical examination if s/he has not done so, but in other respects resist your natural desire to give advice.
• Remember, survivors of sexual assault need to regain a sense of control over their lives. Allow your friend to make her/his own decisions about the next steps.
• Help your friend follow through with the decisions s/he makes. This may mean going to the hospital or police with him/her or providing a place to stay for a few nights.
• Seek emotional support for yourself. Call the Center for Counseling and Mental Health Wellness, 931-372-3331, Tech ASPIRES, 931-372-6566, or Genesis House, 931-526-5197 or 800-707-5197, to debrief or to get tips on how to help your friend. Please call the Eagle Eye Crisis Hotline for afterhours at 855-206-8997 and mention Tech ASPIRES.