Skip to main content

How To Help Someone Who Is Being Abused

The following suggestions are brought to you by The Domestic Violence Hotline (1-800-799-SAFE)


HOW CAN I HELP A FRIEND OR FAMILY MEMBER WHO IS BEING ABUSED?

Don’t be afraid to let him or her know that you are concerned for their safety. Help your friend or family member recognize the abuse. Tell him or her you see what is going on and that you want to help. Help them recognize that what is happening is not “normal” and that they deserve a healthy, non-violent relationship.
Acknowledge that he or she is in a very difficult and scary situation. Let your friend or family member know that the abuse is not their fault. Reassure him or her that they are not alone and that there is help and support out there.
Be supportive. Listen to your friend or family member. Remember that it may be difficult for him or her to talk about the abuse. Let him or her know that you are available to help whenever they may need it. What they need most is someone who will believe and listen to them.
Be non-judgmental. Respect your friend or family member’s decisions. There are many reasons why victims stay in abusive relationships. He or she may leave and return to the relationship many times. Do not criticize his or her decisions or try to guilt them. He or she will need your support even more during those times.
Encourage him or her to participate in activities outside of the relationship with friends and family.
If he or she ends the relationship, continue to be supportive of them. Even though the relationship was abusive, your friend or family member may still feel sad and lonely once it is over. He or she will need time to mourn the loss of the relationship and will especially need your support at that time.
Help him or her to develop a safety plan.
Encourage him or her to talk to people who can provide help and guidance. Find a local domestic violence agency that provides counseling or support groups. Offer to go with him or her to talk to family and friends. If he or she has to go to the police, court or a lawyer, offer to go along for moral support.
Remember that you cannot “rescue” him or her. Although it is difficult to see someone you care about get hurt, ultimately the person getting hurt has to be the one to decide that they want to do something about it. It’s important for you to support him or her and help them find a way to safety and peace.
If you think your friend or family member may be abusive, click here to find out more.
Please call the 24-hour National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or TTY 1-800-787-3224 to discuss your concerns and questions.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

ABC Nightline Provides Bullying Resources

By ABC News Nightline Millions of kids are relentlessly demeaned and physically attacked at school every day. Parents of victims and educators say that a change must take place and everyone can help. Below is a list of resources to help stop bullying and cyberbullying. For Everyone: The Bully Project, and 'Billy' Movie:  The documentary film that sparked a nationwide movement to stop bullying offers stories of those who were bullies and resources for parents, teachers, kids and communities for how to deal with and stop bullies on their website. "Bully," which follows the lives of five U.S. students who faced bullying on a daily basis at school, including two who commited suicide as a result, will be in theaters on March 30, 2012. Stop Bullying Now!:  A resource website sponsored by the U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services that addresses the warning signs of bullying, how to talk about bullies, how to report bullies and cyberbullying and offers a 24-hour help hotlin...

South Carolina pastor charged with raping 3 women at gunpoint

By The Associated Press   Dale Richardson(Credit: CBS/WLTX) LADSON, S.C. (AP) Dale Richardson was saved during a tent revival 32 years ago, was called to preach a Lords word in 2006 and, for a past year, had served as pastor during Freedom Free Will Baptist Church, a modest red brick structure on a South Carolina side road running along a railroad track. Now hes in jail, charged with abduction as well as raping three women during gunpoint dual of them in a trailer behind a church as well as abduction a fourth who was not sexually assaulted. According to an incident report, about noon on a Saturday last month, Richardson picked up a woman as well as gave her a ride. When a 20-year-old tried to get out of a car, Richardson allegedly pulled a gun, bound her hands, covered her head as well as took her to a gray-blue trailer home behind a church. You can find the rest of the article HERE . Sensei Chris Feldt Samurai Karate Studio Columbia, SC 29229 803-462-9425 ...

One Day!

  There is so much conflict in the world!    From the Middle East to Afghanistan to Iraq. From the Arab Spring which has resulted in regime change and the loss of thousands of lives. From the economic crisis in America and Europe, with the near collapse of our banking system, that is slowly reaching into Asia. From the Tea Party rally's to the Wall Street demonstrations. From the high unemployment rate with millions without a job, to a growing homeless population.   The left is attacking the right and vice-versa.   Washington has mastered the art of the "blame game" with neither party accepting responsibility for what is going on.   One Day!   I am confident that one day, we will be part of a kinder, gentler world, because of the work we are doing!  As school owners, we have audience to a large sphere of influence if we make the most of it.     Our curriculum touches on all things human -- strong and vibrant as well as frail and compassionate.   We have the power to CHA...