Things You Can Do to Help a Victim of Domestic Violence
If you know someone who is a victim of domestic violence, there are things you can do to help them. Domestic violence can be very traumatic, and many victims are afraid to speak up. They may feel like they are alone or that they have nowhere to turn. If you are concerned about someone you know, find out what you can do to extend help.
Encourage them to seek professional help.
Domestic violence can be very damaging, both physically and emotionally. Victims often need professional help to recover from the trauma. There are many resources available, including counselling and support groups. If needed, you can help them reach out to an experienced Sydney family lawyer.
Talk to them about what is going on.
Victims of domestic violence may be reluctant to talk about their situation, but it can be very helpful to have someone to talk to. Let them know that you are there for them, and that they can trust you.
Listen without any judgement.
One way to get their trust is to listen to them without any judgement. Let the victim know that you hear them and you’re taking their situation seriously. Do not judge or criticise them, no matter what they say.
Validate their feelings.
It’s natural for victims of domestic violence to feel scared, ashamed and alone. You can help by validating their feelings and letting them know that what they’re feeling is normal given the circumstances.
Help them create a safety plan.
If the victim feels unsafe at home, help them come up with a plan for where they can go if things get bad. This could include finding a safe place to stay, having money saved up in case they need to leave quickly or having a friend or family member they can turn to anytime.
Respect their privacy.
Victims of domestic violence may not want to talk about their situation with anyone. Respect their privacy and do not push them to talk if they don’t want to.
Things You Shouldn’t Do
- Don’t criticise them or tell them what they should have or shouldn’t have done.
- Don’t pressure them to leave their partner. This is a decision that the victim needs to make on their own, and you shouldn’t try to force them into deciding on anything.
- Don’t contact the abuser. This could put the victim in danger, so it’s best to let them handle things themselves.
- Don’t post anything about it online. This is a sensitive situation, and it’s up to them to share if ever they indeed want to share anything with anyone else.
Conclusion
If you know someone who is a victim of domestic violence, there are many things you can do to help them. Remember not to pressure the victim into anything and always respect their privacy. If there is anything you want to know about domestic violence and how a family lawyer can help, please feel free to contact Dorter Family Lawyers.