We need to know that in the event of abuse, women can feel ashamed, humiliated, fearful, or even that they deserve their fate.
- It is important to know how to listen and to be careful not to blame them. We need to get over the human instinct to label and judge a person and try to keep our opinions like that to ourselves. So first of all, you’d better find out the whole story with as much detail as possible (as much as the victim can offer at first) and look for the solution to get out of the crisis. The stigmatization of the abused person will only push her off the edge of the precipice.
- You can tell her that she is not alone and that many women are in her situation. Don’t rush her into giving you details, and keep in mind that such a person needs a lot of courage and confidence in you to confess.
- Support her as a good friend but don’t rush to give advice such as leaving her partner. She may not feel ready for this step for various reasons and may feel somehow pushed from behind. She needs to understand that it’s her decision, but you can point out that no one deserves to be abused.
- You can direct her to go to therapy or complain to the police if she has a plan where she can live for a while in another place.
- Allow her to use your phone and home address and even leave you an emergency bag. Help her create the limits that she considers providing her some “safety”.
