Supporting Someone Experiencing Relationship Violence

Helping a Victim-Survivor of Intimate Partner Violence

If someone you know is a victim of relationship abuse, here are ways you can help:

• Avoid shaming the victim.
• Remember that your friend or family member did not ask to be abused and it may be difficult to get out of a relationship due to finances, children, dependency issues, and/or lack of a support system.
• Develop a safety plan with the victim.
• Listen to the victim and let them know that you are there to support them.
• Provide University resources and off-campus resources.
• Explain to the victim what their options are without making decisions for the victim or pushing them to make a decision.
• When the victim is ready, they will make the choice to leave.