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Supporting someone who has been sexually harmed

If someone discloses a sexual harm to you it means they have identified you as someone they feel safe with. Here are some useful tips on supporting the person disclosing as well as the person responding. 

Responders are often left with unanswered questions or a desire to make it better for the survivor. This is not always easy to achieve or helpful for the survivor. Responding to a disclosure can be emotionally complex and isolating as people often think talking to someone else about it will breach the confidentiality of the person who may be disclosing to you. Bond Counselling, DV Connect or 1800 RESPECT, can offer free and confidential debriefing for you. This can be an important step in keeping you safe following a disclosure.