F.A.I.T.H. Denver
| Fighting Abuse In The Home |
D E N V E R
| F A |
| T H |
| A Safe Space for |
| Health, Healing, and Hope |
Helping A Friend
Survivors of domestic violence usually talk
to a friend or family member before they
access services. If you are a family
member or friend of someone experiencing
domestic abuse, the following points are
important to remember.
to a friend or family member before they
access services. If you are a family
member or friend of someone experiencing
domestic abuse, the following points are
important to remember.
Listen Without Judgment
You do not need to offer advice or
solve the problem. Just listen.
Listening will give the survivor an
opportunity to talk openly and honestly
about what she is experiencing. Do
not criticize the abusive partner.
Criticism may cause the survivor to
feel compelled to defend the abuser.
Just listen. Time and time again,
remind the survivor that the abuse is
You do not need to offer advice or
solve the problem. Just listen.
Listening will give the survivor an
opportunity to talk openly and honestly
about what she is experiencing. Do
not criticize the abusive partner.
Criticism may cause the survivor to
feel compelled to defend the abuser.
Just listen. Time and time again,
remind the survivor that the abuse is
not her fault. Abusive behavior is a choice that abusers make. Be a source of
calm support and love for the survivor.
calm support and love for the survivor.
Believe the Survivor
Affirm the survivor's experience. Saying things like, "I can't believe it," or "I can't
believe _____ did that to you," may cause the survivor to blame herself or
question whether her account sounds believable.
Affirm the survivor's experience. Saying things like, "I can't believe it," or "I can't
believe _____ did that to you," may cause the survivor to blame herself or
question whether her account sounds believable.
Respect the Survivor's Privacy
Understand that the survivor has the right to make her own decisions. Be mindful
of safety concerns that the survivor might express. Call the authorities only when
the survivor asks you to do so, or if you hear or see an incident that causes you
to fear for the survivor's safety or for children's safety.
Understand that the survivor has the right to make her own decisions. Be mindful
of safety concerns that the survivor might express. Call the authorities only when
the survivor asks you to do so, or if you hear or see an incident that causes you
to fear for the survivor's safety or for children's safety.
Offer Resources
Please inform the survivor that
laws and services exist to
protect domestic violence
survivor's and children.
Encourage the survivor to
contact F.A.I.T.H. Denver, a local
crisis hotline, the National
Domestic Violence hotline, or
the National Teen Abuse
helpline. We're ready to
provide caring and confidential
safety and support to survivors
and children.
Please inform the survivor that
laws and services exist to
protect domestic violence
survivor's and children.
Encourage the survivor to
contact F.A.I.T.H. Denver, a local
crisis hotline, the National
Domestic Violence hotline, or
the National Teen Abuse
helpline. We're ready to
provide caring and confidential
safety and support to survivors
and children.
Do you think your peer or co-worker is a domestic violence survivor?
If you see signs (for example bruising, black eye, wounds, hear or see her having
heated arguments with her partner) express your concern to the survivor in a
caring and sensitive way and offer the F.A.I.T.H. Denver contact information.
Please be respectful of the survivor's privacy. Listen without judging. Let your
peer or co-worker know that she is not to blame for the abuse. And encourage
the survivor to seek help. Please remember that, unlike situations concerning
child abuse, there are no laws requiring that such disclosures be reported to the
police.
If you see signs (for example bruising, black eye, wounds, hear or see her having
heated arguments with her partner) express your concern to the survivor in a
caring and sensitive way and offer the F.A.I.T.H. Denver contact information.
Please be respectful of the survivor's privacy. Listen without judging. Let your
peer or co-worker know that she is not to blame for the abuse. And encourage
the survivor to seek help. Please remember that, unlike situations concerning
child abuse, there are no laws requiring that such disclosures be reported to the
police.
| Purple |
| The color purple symbolizes nobility. |
| Purple |
| The color purple symbolizes royalty. |
You are a survivor. Perhaps you have endured soreness, fear, bruising, shame, muscle
tension, guilt, headaches, helplessness, exhaustion, various physical injuries, the nameless
feeling of "I'm going crazy." You are a survivor. Domestic violence is life threatening -
one incident can be fatal to your or your abuser. You have a right to feel safe, happy,
and healthy. Please seek help now. You have many choices. If you contact
F.A.I.T.H. Denver we will provide confidential safety and support that will help you reclaim
hope, self-worth, wholeness, joy, love, and community. Your local domestic violence
hotlines, organizations, and legal aids want to help you. Or, if you prefer, contact the
National Domestic Violence Hotline (1-800-799-SAFE). If you are a teen, please call the
National Teen Dating Abuse Helpline (1-800-331-9474). We're ready to provide you
caring safety and support. Please seek help now survivor.
tension, guilt, headaches, helplessness, exhaustion, various physical injuries, the nameless
feeling of "I'm going crazy." You are a survivor. Domestic violence is life threatening -
one incident can be fatal to your or your abuser. You have a right to feel safe, happy,
and healthy. Please seek help now. You have many choices. If you contact
F.A.I.T.H. Denver we will provide confidential safety and support that will help you reclaim
hope, self-worth, wholeness, joy, love, and community. Your local domestic violence
hotlines, organizations, and legal aids want to help you. Or, if you prefer, contact the
National Domestic Violence Hotline (1-800-799-SAFE). If you are a teen, please call the
National Teen Dating Abuse Helpline (1-800-331-9474). We're ready to provide you
caring safety and support. Please seek help now survivor.
Are You Being Abused?
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