How to console rape victims?

Answer 1

Just be there for her or him. and let them in their own time tell you about the pain and fear. NEVER EVER Judge them. never tell them it was their fault. and if for some reason they do not want to tell the police. respect that decision. and try and get them into a support group. ASAP. God Bless

Answer 2

Excellent question.

If you know someone who has been raped, the best thing in the world is to just be supportive and be a good friend. As with all traumas, everyone's reaction is different. Some people react with anger, some with fear, some try to push the experience away, some try to get back to "normal" as soon as possible, some sob uncontrollably, etc. Don't be surprised by any reaction, even if it seems inappropriate (such as laughing). Don't force the person to talk, but listen if they want to talk. Believe the person if they do want to talk about the rape. Don't blame the person for the rape (duh), no matter what the circumstances were. Encourage the person to seek help, but allow the person to make their own decisions about whether to seek counselling or press charges.

Answer 3

I'm simply amazed by seeing two people who think this kind of questions are funny and they can make a joke out of it.

I have a friend who was raped.

The best thing you can do is just to be there, and assure her it was not her fault. Often the victims are re-victimized by people second guessing the situation, or even herself blaming her for the crime committed against her.

Also, you should watch for behavior chagnes. She might become suicidal, depressed, destructive, or develop other types of characters that wasn't originally hers.

If these things happen, the best you can do is to take her (drag her) into therapy. Unless you are trained in this area, this is usually beyond what you can handle on your own.

I am assuming, police has been alerted and the victim was taken to a doctor's office for checkup? First one is optional, but the second one is a must. It is entirely up to the victim to press charges or not.

Another thing.... while doing all this, be sure to look after yourself. Occasionally, a freind who initially wanted to help get so overwhelmed by the situation that his/her life changes. Don't let this happen. Danger signs are, you start taking responsibility for your friends needs. Initially, this is normal, but when it becomes habitual, you need to place the responsibility back on your friend. Educate her on how, and not by you doing it for her.

Good luck.

Answer 4

Mr. Perfect-
You are wrong about men not being able to be raped. I have a friend (a man!) who was raped by a woman. She slipped a drug into his drink, it's a drug called GHB. Maybe you should read up on it. What's sad is that he thought this woman was his friend. Long story short, he thought it was his fault because he believed what you believe, that men cannot be raped. I talked to him about it, and his story was always the same, never changing. He wondered for a very long time, and then I confronted the woman about it. I told her that I wanted to know for his sake, and after long deliberation, she finally admitted to it because she said she felt guilty. Before then, her "best friend" had ratted her out and told him about it, but he wasn't sure if he could believe her. But once I heard it from her, there was NO mistaking that HE was raped. Yes, a man.

Answer 5

Even the smallest things such as handing over a tissue, getting a glass of water, making a cup of tea all go into the realm of consoling. Just being there to handle the things they cannot do at the time, speaking on the phone in order to obtain the help they need, being the designated driver, just plain old being there is the greatest help there is, cause at times words just don't fit the bill.

Answer 6

You can be there for the person if they want to talk but it is best to refer them to a rape crisis counselor or someone trained in dealing with the emotional stress that a rape victim has been through.

Answer 7

Unless you have experience with counselling and rape crisis programs, it's best to leave it to the professionals. You might want to refer the victim to one. In the event that they come to you immediately after being raped, let them stay the night.

Answer 8

Well I don't know but if she was raped maybe say your sorry but don't get involved. stay away you will only get blamed if your a man.

Oh and to the Little Girl Linda. Sweetie where have you been
MEN CAN NOT BE RAPED. get over your HERO Worship and open your eyes

Answer 9

Hi:

I have never been in that situation but I would be there for you, listen, talk, sit w/ you quietly, give you not only 1 shoulder to cry on but both and more. I would console by just being there for you. You direct me as to what you need and I will do my best to help.

God Bless

Answer 10

1) Put the perpetrator behind bars for a long time.

2) Do whatever she needs. I had PTSD, and was afraid to be alone at night. I had friends who would come over and sleep on the couch if I needed them to.

Answer 11

The most important is to be there for the person.
Let them talk about it if they want to and don't judge. People are different, but when I would talk about it to someone they would make comments like "oh my god" and to me it would sound like they couldn't handle hearing about it. I need(ed) to talk about it, but I didn't want to hurt them.
Just listen and try to understand.
It's great that your researching it!