We are not professionals
Like I said before, it [how to support a survivor] depends on what they want to do, right? So we may, like Participant 1 just said, we need to see how serious it is, but we also have not been through that experience, and it can be the biggest thing for them, so it is not for us to evaluate, and we are not professionals either. So, all we can do at that point is listen, and we need to know about the resources that are available, and then suggest them when they are ready. First, I will listen and then I will take the immediate step that they want to take, like going to a hospital, taking a test, or having whatever they want. Then, suggest the things that are available. Like I mentioned before, we are not professionals, and we can't take on their mental state, because we are not qualified to do so. I think it would be best to look at options together and just be there and help them to make choices, that’s it.
Recommendations
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Promote SANE nurses as supporters for victims/survivors. Ideally, this would happen in the context of a formal partnership with SANE nurses, which includes 24/7 availability of SANE nurse services on campus.
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Use approaches that are trauma informed and survivor-centred.
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Present learning materials in a way that is helpful to a friend supporting a victim/survivor.