For Sexual Violence Awareness Month 2021, the Queensland Sexual Assault Network created a series of posts for social media with the theme “Start by Believing”.
You are welcome to use these images with the accompanying text and links back to the QSAN website.
Image
Accompanying text:
I believe you
It can be extremely difficult for survivors to come forward and share their story. They may feel ashamed, fear they won't be believed, or worried they may be blamed. Leave out the ‘why’ questions – your job is to support this person, not investigate. Be careful not to interpret calmness or a lack of visible distress as a sign that the event did not occur. Everyone responds to traumatic events differently. The best thing you can do is believe them.
To find out more, visit: https://qsan.org.au/resources/supporters/supporting-someone-who-has-disclosed-sexual-assault/
#StartbyBelieving #WhyIStartbyBelieving #IStartbyBelieving #EveryResponseMatters #MyResponseMatters #SVAM #SexualViolence #Support
Believe Survivors
It can be extremely difficult for survivors to come forward and share their story. They may feel ashamed, fear they won't be believed, or worried they may be blamed. Leave out the ‘why’ questions – your job is to support this person, not investigate. Be careful not to interpret calmness or a lack of visible distress as a sign that the event did not occur. Everyone responds to traumatic events differently. The best thing you can do is believe them.
To find out more, visit: https://qsan.org.au/resources/supporters/supporting-someone-who-has-disclosed-sexual-assault/
#StartbyBelieving #WhyIStartbyBelieving #IStartbyBelieving #EveryResponseMatters #MyResponseMatters #SVAM #SexualViolence #Support
I am sorry that this happened
Stay calm and present. Try to focus on how the person is feeling. Try not to allow your own feelings (e.g. shock horror, anger, outrage, sadness or disgust) stop you from offering your support.
The survivor could misinterpret expression of these feelings as a rejection of them or support for a belief that sexual abuse is a topic that they should not be mentioning.
To find out more, visit: https://qsan.org.au/resources/supporters/supporting-someone-who-has-disclosed-sexual-assault/
#StartbyBelieving #WhyIStartbyBelieving #IStartbyBelieving #EveryResponseMatters #MyResponseMatters #SVAM #SexualViolence #Support
It was not your fault
You do not have to be an expert or know all the right things to say to be able to help someone who has experienced sexual violence. The fact that the person has raised the issue with you indicates that they believe you are someone who can be trusted and supportive.
Each person will react differently to what they experienced and will seek different kinds of help at different times.
You don't have to know all the right things to say.
To find out more, visit: https://qsan.org.au/resources/supporters/supporting-someone-who-has-disclosed-sexual-assault/
#StartbyBelieving #WhyIStartbyBelieving #IStartbyBelieving #EveryResponseMatters #MyResponseMatters #SVAM #SexualViolence #Support
How can I support you?
You do not have to be an expert or know all the right things to say to be able to help someone who has experienced sexual violence. The fact that the person has raised the issue with you indicates that they believe you are someone who can be trusted and supportive.
Each person will react differently to what they experienced and will seek different kinds of help at different times.
You don't have to know all the right things to say.
To find out more, visit: https://qsan.org.au/resources/supporters/supporting-someone-who-has-disclosed-sexual-assault/
#StartbyBelieving #WhyIStartbyBelieving #IStartbyBelieving #EveryResponseMatters #MyResponseMatters #SVAM #SexualViolence #Support
Support Survivors
Ask them what they need, help them to explore their options and encourage them to make their own decisions. It is very important that the survivor makes their own decisions and has them respected.
There are specialist sexual assault and counselling support services through Queensland that the person can access in person or by phone. Specialist sexual assault services can help people to heal from their experience. They may not know what support they want right now. Support will look different for each person.
You can find a detailed list of specialist services here: https://qsan.org.au/services/
To find out more, visit: https://qsan.org.au/resources/supporters/supporting-someone-who-has-disclosed-sexual-assault/
#StartbyBelieving #WhyIStartbyBelieving #IStartbyBelieving #EveryResponseMatters #MyResponseMatters #SVAM #SexualViolence #Support
How can I help you to seek support?
Ask them what they need, help them to explore their options and encourage them to make their own decisions. It is very important that the survivor makes their own decisions and has them respected.
There are specialist sexual assault and counselling support services through Queensland that the person can access in person or by phone. Specialist sexual assault services can help people to heal from their experience.
You can find a detailed list of specialist services here: https://qsan.org.au/services/
It is normal to be impacted yourself when someone has disclosed to you their experience of sexual violence. You may feel many things, including shock, anger, powerless, sadness or confusion. You may need to seek your own support. Many QSAN services also provide support to the families and friends of survivors. Remember, the stronger and better supported you are, the greater capacity you will have to support others.
To find out more, visit: https://qsan.org.au/resources/supporters/supporting-someone-who-has-disclosed-sexual-assault/
#StartbyBelieving #WhyIStartbyBelieving #IStartbyBelieving #EveryResponseMatters #MyResponseMatters #SVAM #SexualViolence #Support
You can tell me as much or as little as you like
Listen carefully to what the person is saying. Let them speak at their own pace, and reveal as much information as they are comfortable sharing.
Try not to interrupt or ask lots of questions as the person may feel like they are interrogated.
You do not need to know all the details, try not to ask for more information about the actual events than is volunteered.
To find out more, visit: https://qsan.org.au/resources/supporters/supporting-someone-who-has-disclosed-sexual-assault/
#StartbyBelieving #WhyIStartbyBelieving #IStartbyBelieving #EveryResponseMatters #MyResponseMatters #SVAM #SexualViolence #Support
Listen to survivors
Listen carefully to what the person is saying. Let them speak at their own pace, and reveal as much information as they are comfortable sharing.
Try not to interrupt or ask lots of questions as the person may feel like they are interrogated.
You do not need to know all the details, try not to ask for more information about the actual events than is volunteered.
To find out more, visit: https://qsan.org.au/resources/supporters/supporting-someone-who-has-disclosed-sexual-assault/
#StartbyBelieving #WhyIStartbyBelieving #IStartbyBelieving #EveryResponseMatters #MyResponseMatters #SVAM #SexualViolence #Support