Helping a Friend Through Sexual Violence

Listen and Validate Listening unconditionally and validating the experience as true is the first and foremost way you can help a survivor of sexual violence. The statistics on false claims are low, and the benefits for listening and believing are very high. The power of listening unconditionally will help the survivor as they process their thoughts and feelings.

Confidential Resources CARDV (Center Against Rape and Domestic Violence) – ; SASS (Sexual Assault Support Services) – ; CAPS (Counseling and Psychological Services) – ;

Reporting Options (Not Confidential) Student Conduct and Community Standards – (OSU Conduct Process) ; Office of Equity and Inclusion/TitleIX Coordinator – ; Oregon State Police – (Legal Process) ;

Medical Help Student Health Services – Provides forensic evidence collection and medical exams for short-term and long-term concerns ; Good Samaritan Emergency Department – ; 3600 NW Samaritan Drive, Corvallis, OR.

Statement on Confidentiality Due to campus confidentiality limitations, please note that SASS/CAPS, SHS medical providers and CARDV are the only confidential resources for survivors on campus. Due to legal responsibilities, non-confidential campus resources may have an obligation to consult about (and possibly report) disclosures of survivors.

Consent Sexual contact shall be considered "unwanted" or without consent if no clear consent is freely given; if inflicted through force, threat of force, or coercion; or if inflicted upon a person who is unconscious or otherwise without the physical or mental capacity to consent. If sexual contact is inflicted on someone who is intoxicated or impaired in the exercise of their judgment by alcohol or drugs, it may be considered without consent.

Provide Options A survivor of sexual violence has had their choices taken away from them. Another very helpful thing to do is to provide the survivor with as many choices as possible. You follow the lead of the survivor. What the survivor needs is the ability to make their own choices. Do not decide what action should be taken, let the survivor decide.

Self Care Helping a friend through sexual violence is not an easy thing to do. All of the resources listed for survivors of sexual violence are also applicable to the friend. Contact the above confidential resources if you want to talk to someone about your experience helping the survivor. These cases are difficult and those helping deserve to be cared for as well.