VERIFIED By Kiara Jain, Mental Wellness and Personal Transformation Coach and Visionary Founder of Mindful Living
Kolkata Rape And Murder: 7 Exclusive Tips on Empowering Sexual Assault Survivors Without Feeling Guilty
Empowering rape survivors: Here are seven practical steps to help empower survivors without causing additional harm.
Kolkata Rape Case: The brutal rape and murder of a young female doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital has sent shockwaves across the nation. The incident, which occurred on 9th August 2024, has ignited widespread outrage across the country, leading doctors and caregivers on the roads and streets to demand stringent actions against the culprits. While we seek justice for the lost young soul, and urge the government to take measures to keep the workplaces safe for women, there are a few crucial things that need to be highlighted at the moment.
While rape and murder are the two most horrendous human acts, even physical abuse leaves life-long imprints on the victim. Physical abuse, in its myriad forms, is a scourge that afflicts individuals of all genders, ages, and backgrounds. It is a violation of human dignity and a crime that leaves lasting scars. From domestic violence to child abuse, from elder abuse to violence against people with disabilities, the patterns of harm are as diverse as the victims themselves.
In this article, we understand the crucial steps that need to be taken to help a physically abused victim deal with the aftershocks of the incident.
How to Empower Sexual Assault Survivors and Support Without Guilt
What are the most effective ways for family members and friends to support sexual assault survivors in a way that empowers them, rather than causing feelings of guilt or shame? Read on to know it all from Kiara Jain, Mental Wellness and Personal Transformation Coach and Visionary Founder of Mindful Living.
Speaking to TheHealthSite.com, Jain said, “It’s essential to focus on empowering the survivor rather than adding to their trauma through guilt or judgment”. However, Jain also shared some crucial points that one needs to keep in mind when a close one is seeking mental support after suffering a physical trauma.
The way friends and family members support sexual assault survivors can be crucial in their healing process. Here are some effective ways to offer meaningful support:
Encourage and Motivate Them To Seek Professional Assistance
If the survivor is open to it, encourage them to seek professional assistance, such as therapy. A trained therapist can provide the tools and techniques needed to help them process and recover from their trauma. However, it’s important to never force the survivor into seeking help. The decision should be theirs, and the family and friend’s role is to support their choices.
Be Strong And Calm
To be emotionally supportive, it’s vital that you, as a friend or family member, maintain your own emotional resilience. Witnessing a loved one go through such a traumatic experience can evoke feelings of helplessness and anger. However, remaining strong and calm is crucial in providing the stable support that the survivor needs.
Learn and Educate Yourself
Take the time to understand the complexities of sexual assault and its impact on survivors. Being informed about how trauma can affect the survivor’s emotions and behavior will equip you to better support them. This awareness will also help you manage your own emotions and reactions.
Refrain from Guilt-Tripping The Survivor and Focus On Empowering Them
Refrain from making judgmental comments or blaming the survivor for what happened, such as saying, “You should have been more careful” or “You shouldn’t have trusted that person.” Such statements can further damage the survivor’s already fragile self-confidence and hinder their recovery. Instead, focus on empowering them and reinforcing their strength.
Be There For The Survivor In Every Step
Offer your support in any way you can, whether it’s accompanying the survivor to therapy appointments, helping them with daily tasks, or simply being there when they need someone. Your unconditional presence can be a powerful source of comfort and reassurance.
Lend an Empathetic Ear
Another way to help the survivors recover from the trauma is by listening to everything they wish to share and providing them unconditional and non-judgmental support. This provides a safe environment for the survivor to share their experience and validate them to gain their self-respect once again, which they may feel they’ve lost. Try not giving advice to the survivor as this may make them feel as though you’re not listening to them.
Allow Them To Make Decisions
Empowerment starts with giving the survivor control over their own life. Whether it’s choosing to seek therapy, deciding when to return to work, or making other personal choices, it’s important to let them lead the way. While it’s natural to want to protect them, remember that rebuilding their confidence and sense of autonomy is crucial to their recovery.
The role of friends and family in supporting a sexual assault survivor is vital. By empowering rather than guilt-tripping, and by offering informed, empathetic, and unconditional support, you can help them navigate their healing journey and reclaim their sense of self.
Follow this space for all the latest news and updates on the rape and murder of a trainee doctor at Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College and Hospital.
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