Supporting a survivor
 

 

The resources below provide information about providing support to a survivor of sexual harm.

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• Survivors' Network: Supporting Survivors of Sexual Assault. A UK-based resource for things to do or not to do when supporting a survivor (https://survivorsnetwork.org.uk/resource/supporting-survivors-of-sexual-assault/) and a practical guide to supporting survivors, which could be useful for student peers and family members (https://survivorsnetwork.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/SN-Self-Help-Guide-for-Supporters.pdf).
   

• RAINN: Tips for Talking with Survivors of Sexual Assault. Information from a US organisation on how to help and provide support to someone who has experienced sexual abuse or harassment.
  https://www.rainn.org/articles/tips-talking-survivors-sexual-assault
   

• Safeline. Information from a UK organisation on what friends and family can do to support survivors of sexual abuse. https://safeline.org.uk/news/blogs/what-can-friends-and-family-members-do-to-support-survivors-of-sexual-abuse/
   

• Thursdays In Black: Disclosure Guide. Aotearoa New Zealand-based guide on what to say and not to say around sexual violence. https://d3n8a8pro7vhmx.cloudfront.net/thursdaysinblack/pages/14/attachments/original/1509479115/Disclosures_guide.pdf?1509479115
   

• Supporting LGBTI Survivors of Sexual Violence. Rape Crisis Scotland details unique challenges rainbow communities can face, both in sexual violence and when seeking help. https://www.rapecrisisscotland.org.uk/publications/Updated-RCS-LGBTI-BOOKLET-July-19.pdf
   

• About Family Violence and Protection Orders. (Ministry of Justice, 2017.) Information on how to obtain a Protection Order and what it means. https://www.justice.govt.nz/assets/Documents/Publications/About-Family-Violence-and-Protection-Orders-Booklet.pdf 
   

• Safe to talk – Sexual Harm Helpline: Get help for someone else. If you want to help a person who’s been sexually harmed, the best thing you can do is be someone they can trust and not make any judgements.
  https://safetotalk.nz/get-help-for-someone-else/
   

• ACC: Supporting survivors of sexual abuse and assault.
  https://www.acc.co.nz/newsroom/stories/supporting-survivors-of-sexual-abuse-and-assault/
   

• ACC: Caring for survivors of sexual abuse and assault.
  https://www.acc.co.nz/newsroom/stories/caring-for-survivors-of-sexual-abuse-and-assault/
   

• Supporting transgender survivors of sexual violence: Learning from users' experiences. Rymer, S and Cartei, V (2015). Critical and Radical Social Work, 3(1), 155-164. Research project on supporting trans* survivors of sexual violence. Describes many common barriers to receiving support. https://survivorsnetwork.org.uk/campaigns-projects/supporting-trans-survivors-of-sexual-violence/