How to Help a Survivor

Some University of Maryland employees are considered Responsible University Employees (RUEs) and are required to report instances of sexual misconduct that they become aware of. RUEs should tell a person disclosing (or potentially disclosing) about this requirement as early as possible in the conversation. This way, the survivor can decide whether to disclose to a non-confidential resource or not. Instructors: it may be helpful to make students aware of this requirement in class or in your syllabus, along with information about confidential resources they can use. 

For more information, visit ocrsm.umd.edu.

You may feel afraid that you will say or do the wrong thing, or that you will make the situation worse. However, it usually just isolates the person. Ignoring it may make them feel as if you don’t care and it’s not going to help them get better.

Avoid pressing them for details of what happened; it can be re-traumatizing. You can invite them to share as much or little as they'd like, but don’t push. “Why” questions, like “Why did you do xyz?”, can seem like you are blaming the person for their choices, rather than keeping the responsibility with the perpetrator.

You might get frustrated sometimes if you feel that they aren't listening to your advice or your concerns, or taking action. That’s okay. It’s important for them to make their own decisions, even if they aren’t always decisions that you would choose. That doesn’t mean that you should isolate the person out of frustration…try to be patient, and keep letting them know you care.

Offer options, but unless you think they are in immediate danger and need to call 911, don’t force them to take any actions, like reporting an assault to the police or University.

A traumatic experience, drug or alcohol abuse, eating concerns, self-injury behaviors, and depression are serious problems that require professional help and treatment. They are not caused because the person is weak or because they are not trying to get better. Healing and recovery is a process and can take a long time.

Using “you” statements can sound like you are blaming someone, even when you don’t intend to. Use “I” statements when talking to them, e.g. “I’ve noticed that you are eating very little, and I’m worried about you” rather than “You aren’t eating enough”.

If the person is in medical danger or is talking about suicide, it's important to Step UP and act by contacting 911. Although you should talk to the person before you do, you may not be able to convince them to seek help. If it’s not an emergency, offer to go with them to a confidential resource; it can help it feel less intimidating.

It can be helpful for you to talk to a professional who is bound by confidentiality. This can help you know what to do & give you a safe place to talk about your thoughts and feelings. You are welcome to talk with a CARE Advocate.

Don’t talk about their issues with other people, unless they've given you permission to do so. You can share your concern with others, but disclosing information like the fact that they have been assaulted, or have a specific diagnosis can be really damaging if they aren’t ready for other people to know—and sometimes there can be safety issues depending on their situation. Just because the person has talked to you about their issues does not mean that they are comfortable talking to anyone else, or are comfortable with anyone else knowing. Respect their right to privacy, and keep their information confidential, unless required to report.