Experiencing sexual assault is not her fault
Participant 2: [If a friend discloses to me], I think the first thing is to understand her. I will tell her that experiencing sexual assault is not her fault, and I will search for some solutions to resolve the problem.
Participant 1: And we should be patient and talk to her in a comfortable way.
Participant 3: I think we should be respectful listeners and don't push her if she doesn't want to talk more.
Recommendations
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Use open-ended questions and collaborative communication when supporting a victim/survivor.
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Use approaches that are trauma informed and survivor-centred.
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Ensure all sexual violence prevention and response education and training opportunities actively deconstruct victim-blaming, rape myths and gender norms. Ensure these sessions take an intersectional approach to understanding sexual violence and supporting victim/survivors.
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Allow victim/survivors to share their experiences and seek support when they are ready. Offer information about time limits for reporting when applicable.