What can you do?
If someone discloses that they are living with relationship abuse there are a number of things that you need to consider depending on what role you have in relation to the victim/survivor
When talking to victim/survivors here are a few pointers:
If someone discloses that they are living with relationship abuse there are a number of things that you need to consider depending on what role you have in relation to the victim/survivor
When talking to victim/survivors here are a few pointers:
- Speak with the person in a private area to retain confidentiality
- Listen, and acknowledge what the victim/survivor is saying
- Believe and Validate- it is important that the victim/survivor feels believed and that you make it clear that the abuse is not their fault
- Make it clear that help is available
- Do not promise to do something you cannot do and know your limitations
You might want to ask these questions:
- What happened?
This question will help you find out information of the level of risk and severity of the incident/incidents and what support might be needed.
- When did it happen?
This will help you establish timescales and what support might be needed.
- Are you safe?
This helps you to understand the risks and if the student is not safe ensuring that they are safe is your primary concern.
- Do you need medical attention?
This is crucial to make sure that the victim/survivor is cared for and receive any medical help they might need. - What can I help you with
Give the victim/survivor back the power to decide what they want to do.
Establish if they want to report and/ or if they want support.
- Report . Students and staff can report an incident using the University’s Report and Support system. You can choose to do this anonymously or you can provide your details and we will support you with the reporting process if that is reporting to the university or reporting to the police.
University Procedure. If you choose to make a formal complaint to the University about a student or member of staff there are procedures which set out the steps you'll need to follow. - Support. You can also ask for support from an advisor. If you choose to talk to an advisor they will be able to talk through the options and support available to you, in confidence. They can offer you support through Student Services or refer you to support outside the university. If you chose to report at a later date we will support you to do so
Think about what you need
if you have provided support to a friend, student, colleague it is important that you yourself make sure that you talk it through with someone. It can be traumatising and draining to hear stories of abuse and make sure that you look after yourself. If you are a student or a member of staff you are welcome to talk it through the student services team and feel free to contact us. See the contact pages
if you have provided support to a friend, student, colleague it is important that you yourself make sure that you talk it through with someone. It can be traumatising and draining to hear stories of abuse and make sure that you look after yourself. If you are a student or a member of staff you are welcome to talk it through the student services team and feel free to contact us. See the contact pages