Supporting my [late 20s M] sister [early 20s F] after she was raped

Your doing the right thing, going to police will tough just keep supporting and believing her. Take care of yourself too

http://www.bandbacktogether.com/How-To-Help-Someone-Heal-From-Sexual-Assault/ Long Term Help After A Rape:

If your friend seems to be having a particularly hard time recovering from the rape, gently suggest that he or she speak to a counselor trained to help victims of rape.

Help your friend seek therapy for the assault by finding a list of local therapists or support groups that specialize in working with the victims of sexual assault. Often, while very depressed, it is hard for a rape victim to take these steps on his or her own.

Remind your friend who has been through a sexual assault that he or she is not to blame - the guilt and the what ifs can plague a person who has been assaulted for a long time.

Expect that your loved one will experience many emotions following a rape or sexual assault. Feelings of anxiety, fear, humiliation, shame, guilt, anger, numbness and confusion are common following a sexual assault.

Give them time - if your loved one indicates that he or she is still struggling, remind them that there is no timetable for recovering from a rape. Recovery is a slow, gradual process.

If your loved one is a male who is admitting that he was raped, take extra care to reassure him that you believe him. Many people do not believe that men can be the victim of a rape - this could not be farther from the truth. Men and women can both be the victim of a sexual assault.

Read more about male sexual assault.

Help your loved one who was raped to feel that they are now safe. It may take time for a rape victim to feel safe; to begin to participate in activities when they are ready - this is okay. If they ask for your companionship to various activities - including support groups - be sure to provide it if you can.

Allow your loved one to make choices for him or herself. Being raped is the ultimate type of loss of control over their environment. Don't step in and try to take charge - allow your friend or loved one to make their own decisions as a way to begin the road to empowerment.

Ask - rather than assume you know best - how best you can help your friend. This can help your friend begin the path to recovery and begin to rebuild trust.

It's natural to be overprotective of a loved one who has been raped - however, your loved one may not appreciate being treated with "kid gloves" or coddled. Play it by ear - you know your loved one best - and if all else fails, ASK them what they want and need from you.

If you are having a hard time coping with the feelings that the rape has stirred up inside you, consider talking to a therapist or counselor about how to manage your OWN feelings.

Self-Care

Regardless of whether you are a victim, a survivor, or a loved one, taking care of yourself is the best way to help others. There are many ways we can take care of ourselves.

http://www.pandys.org/articles/tipsforfriends.html It can be hard to know what to do to help a friend or family member who has been raped or sexually assaulted. Here are some tips on what to do (and what not to do) and how to cope yourself.

What to say to a rape or sexual abuse survivor:

I'm sorry this happened to you.

It wasn't your fault.

You survived; obviously you did the right things.

Thank you for telling me.

I'm always here if you want to talk.

Can I do anything for you?

Depending on your relationship with the survivor and the trust she has in you, she may experience a flashback or panic attack in your presence. It can be frightening and difficult to know what to do during a situation like this, but here are a few suggestions.

Panic Attacks

  • Remind the survivor of where she is. Ask her to sit down and place her feet on the floor. Describe her surroundings to her, and ask her to do the same.

  • Remind the survivor to take deep breaths.

  • If the survivor has medication she is prescribed to take during panic attacks, such as Xanax, remind her that if she needs it, it is available.

/r/relationships Thread