supporting a disclosure
Join with the survivor in validating the effects of the sexual assault(s). All abuse is harmful. Even if it is not violent, overtly physical or repeated, all sexual abuse has serious consequences. There is no positive or neutral experience of sexual abuse.
- Be clear that the sexual assault is never their fault. Nobody seduces an offender. People ask for affection and attention, not for sexual abuse. Even if a person responds sexually, even if they weren’t forced or didn’t protest, it is still never their fault. It is always the responsibility of the offender.
