A survivor of intimate partner (IPV) and gender-based violence (GBV) will often seek support from someone they trust. If someone comes to you wanting to share their experience with intimate partner violence or gender-based violence, here are three ways you can provide support:
- Listen without judgement – When a survivor shares their story, we need to create a safe, validating and attentive environment. Active listening is one of the best ways to hold space for a survivor to share their story.
- Validate their feelings – Recognizing that survivors of intimate partner violence and gender-based violence often experience shame, confusion and fear, it is essential that we validate their feelings. We need to acknowledge and validate the survivor’s feelings while reassuring them that they have made the right decision.
- Respect their boundaries – To truly provide a supportive space, we must respect their boundaries. Survivors may not be ready to discuss certain details of their experiences. We must be sensitive, let them direct the conversation and prioritize their comfort and readiness.
Source: National Domestic Violence Hotline. (n.d.). Three ways to support domestic violence survivors.
