Listen to what the person is saying. Believe them when they say that they have experienced something awful.

Express sincere empathy. Expressing empathy can be a powerful validation of a survivor's experience.

Provide referrals to on and off-campus support services.

Validate feelings. It's not uncommon for people to feel angry when something like this happens.

Don't make assumptions about the gender of the people involved.

Sexual assault occurs among all sexual orientations and is perpetrated by women as well as men.

Don't tell the person what to do. It's important to empower a survivor to make decisions for themselves and to have those decisions respected.

Don't tell the person how to feel. Survivors may feel numb or experience shame, anger, depression, and/or many other feelings.

Remember, everyone reacts differently to trauma.

Listen to what the person is saying. Believe them when they say they have done something they are uncomfortable with.

Resist the urge to minimize the person's actions. Minimizing the person's behavior will not make him or her feel better in the long run and may put the person at risk for recidivism.

Provide referrals to on and off-campus services. The Sexual Violence Prevention & Response Program can provide referrals for students who are concerned about their behavior and other helpful services.

Encourage the person to stay away from his or her victim. Survivors of sexual and relationship violence need space to heal and feel safe again.

Encourage the person to seek corrective services. Assaultive behavior does not go away on its own.

Help the person to hold him or herself accountable. Getting away with sexual assault or relationship violence does not make it right.

Get support and information for yourself.