Project Response, Inc.

 Helping your friend...

If your friend has been sexually assaulted, s/he may experience:

• shock
• disbelief / denial
• anger
• mood swings
• irritability / depression
• inability to concentrate or relax
• disturbances in eating or sleeping habits

For some, the emotional impact of sexual assault can be immediate and short term. For others, the effects can be long lasting. Your friend may find it helpful to talk to a counselor trained to understand and assist victims of sexual assault.

~Believe unconditionally. People rarely lie about being sexually assaulted. Be sure your friend knows how much you support him/her.

~Let the victim control the situation. Let your friend determine the pace of healing. Help your friend understand the options available, and encourage your friend to keep his/her options open. Most important, allow your friend to make his/her own decisions.

~Assure your friend it was not his/her fault. No one asks to be sexually assaulted. Avoid blaming questions and judgmental pointed phrases such as, "Why didn't you scream?" or "If I ever get my hands on the creep..." or "I would have done this..." Don't start searching for things your friend should have done.

~Show you want to listen. A friend may confide in you ten minutes or ten years after an assault. At that time, it doesn't matter so much what you say but how well you listen. Remember that your friend's sense of trust has been violated, so one of the most important things you can do is respect his/her need for confidentiality.

~Encourage your friend to get medical attention as soon as possible. Your friend can get medical attention from a private doctor, a clinic or a hospital emergency room. By law, Emergency Room staff must contact the police when they treat sexual assault victims. The police will ask your friend to file a report, but s/he does not have to talk to the police or file a report if s/he does not want to.

~Don't be afraid to ask for outside help. Your friend may need medical attention or counseling. Offer to help your friend through these processes.

Resources Available

Project Response provides 24 hour confidential hotline emergency counseling and advocacy services, free of charge. They will accompany your friend to the hospital, police station, courts, and through the entire process.

Regardless of how much time has passed since the sexual assault, please contact Project Response at: (800)456-5764