Hello, a thread on how to be helpful to a survivor as a friend/colleague/family member/partner. First and foremost, not all of us are equipped to handle a hypersensitive situation that involves so many layers mental health, trauma and law.

It's okay if you don't know what to do. Just listen. Make sure that the person feels safe and you reserve your judgements and comments to yourself, no matter how well meaning. Let them say as much as THEY want to, what THEY are comfortable with. No questions asked.

Often times, recounting a traumatic experience in itself is an act of courage. Maybe they want to take it forward, maybe they don't. Not our place to tell them what they should do. Make sure the choice is always theirs. Let them exercise their agency the way they want to.

Sometimes, unintentionally asking questions or making comments could lead to re-traumatizating the survivor. Especially if you haven't dealt with a sensitive issue like this before, chances are you don't know what is appropriate to ask and what isn't.

Personally, if someone reaches out to me and I am not equipped to help them with their mental health, I immediately connect them to a mental health practitioner. I know I am a lawyer and I know I'm not trained in dealing with sos mental health situations. Always ask for help.

Finally, be there, without judgment and without trying to make them do the "right thing". They're probably doing their most already. They've already been through a lot. They just want kindness and support. We just need to make it a little bit easier for them if we can.