How to Support a Survivor Overview

To complete this module for D-SAACP credit, you must access the course through Joint Knowledge Online (JKO). Click the “Get Started D-SAACP Credit” button above to leave the Safe Helpline site and go to Joint Knowledge Online. For instructions for how to register for Safe Helpline self-paced educational programs through JKO, please click here.

What is How to Support a Survivor?

How to Support a Survivor provides concrete tools that can help friends, family members, and colleagues of survivors of sexual assault support a survivor’s recovery. This program identifies both helping behaviors that support survivors of sexual assault and harmful behaviors that should be avoided. The program also includes concrete steps to help you become a stronger supporter for the people in your life affected by sexual violence.

Learning Objectives:

• Recognize why a survivor may feel or act certain ways and why your support is important to their healing process.
• Demonstrate ways that you can help empower a survivor after an assault, and why that is important for their healing process.
• Discuss how encouraging words and phrases can avoid judgment and show support for the survivor.
• Identify ways to continue supporting a survivor weeks, months, and even years after the assault.
• Explain bystander-intervention and other prevention techniques.
• Manage your well-being as a supporter of a survivor.

For more information on the background and development of this program, download the Information Paper.