How to Get Help for a Sex Crime Victim

If you a friend or loved one is a victim of a sex crime such as rape, incest, sodomy or some other form of sexual assault, you can help by following these steps.

Instructions

Difficulty: Challenging

1. Offer a sympathetic ear. Listen without judgment when your friend shares details of the crime. Do not show any revulsion no matter what you hear. Most sex crime victims suffer from feelings of worthlessness and shame.
2. Encourage your friend to seek victim counseling. A therapist or social worker trained in dealing with the issues faced by sex crime victims can help the person deal with the impact of the violation and the recovery.
3. Ask your friend to consider reporting the sex crime to the proper authorities. A counselor such as those available 24 hours a day at (800) 656-HOPE can guide them through the process.
4. Be supportive of your friend's decisions. If the friend chooses to press charges or sue the assailant, refer her to the Women' s Law Web site to access attorney referral services throughout the United States (see Resources below).
5. Understand that the victim must call the shots. You can encourage your friend to visit the Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network Web site (see Resources below), but it is ultimately the victim's decision to seek professional or legal assistance.
6. Get involved with the sex crime prevention movement by donating time or money to a local rape crisis center or battered women's shelter.

Tips & Warnings

• Your friend or relative has the right to keep medical records private, even from those who wish to help them.