Note: We recommend checking out How Abuse Impacts Victims in addition to this page to help you understand what your loved one may be going through.
We mention “supporting survivors” a lot, but what does that actually look like? How do you support someone who has shared their story with you?
Everyone is different, so everyone’s emotions, reactions, and needs after experiencing abuse will be different. There is no one size fits all response for supporting a loved one after they’ve experienced abuse, but a good mantra to follow is Listen, Believe, Support. Listen to what your loved one has to say. Believe them when they tell you what happened to them. And show your support by asking them how you can help.
If you don’t know what to say, here are a few good phrases to start with:
Remember to respect your loved one’s privacy and boundaries and let them guide how they move forward.
If someone you care about has been abused, you might feel an array of emotions, such as:
These feelings are common and can be hard to deal with on your own. Reaching out to a professional to talk about your own response to the abuse can help. Remember to practice good self care, and keep these things in mind:
Take the first step towards change by raising awareness for domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking in your community.
Contact your representatives about legislation impacting victims of domestic and sexual violence.
Thousands of North Dakotans experience domestic and sexual violence each year. But together, we can change that. By giving to NDDSVC, you’re helping us prevent future violence and providing life-saving resources to North Dakota communities.
If you are in an unsafe or abusive situation, there are 18 domestic violence/sexual assault (DV/SA) victim advocacy centers across North Dakota that can help you navigate your options and stay safe. Each center is staffed with professionals who can help you with safety planning, finding shelter, obtaining a protection order, and more.
NDDSVC does not provide direct services to victims and survivors.
Contact a DV/SA advocacy center near you if you are looking for support. If you are in immediate danger, call 911.