How To Help Survivors Experiencing Teen Dating Violence
Your neighbors, friends, and classmates could be experiencing domestic violence. It’s on each one of us to provide an empowered support system and be a part of the change. It’s important to remember that each situation is unique. The best thing you can do for survivors is to listen to them and provide them with support. Do not try to be a hero – in an emergency, please contact 911.
• Make Time and Start the Conversation: If you choose to reach out to a survivor, do it when the situation is calm. Engaging during tense moments may pose risks for both of you. You can bring up the topic of domestic violence by expressing your concern about observed changes in the individual.
• Listen Without Judgement and Believe the Victim: If the person chooses to confide in you, listen to their story without passing judgment or interrupting. Keep in mind that domestic violence is often rooted in control rather than anger. The victim may be the only one aware of the darker side of the perpetrator.
• Validate the Victim’s Feelings: It’s not unusual for victims to express conflicting feelings about their partner and their situation. These feelings can range from guilt/anger, hope/despair, and love/fear.
• Offer Specific Help: Help the victim find support and resources like CASA (Community Action Stops Abuse) on our 24-hour hotline at (727) 895-4912. Look up telephone numbers and websites for shelters/domestic violence centers, social services, attorneys, counselors, or support groups.
• Focus on Safety: Let the person know that you are concerned for their safety. Help them to think about a plan of action should violence occur again and particularly if they are trying to end the relationship. Ending the relationship can be a dangerous time in domestic relationships.
• Offer a Code Word: Develop a safety code. Make it rather innocuous, but something only the two of you will put together as a code for. Code word or phrases such as “How’s Adam doing”? The person should know this is code for ‘call 911’.
• Call the Police: If you know that violence is actively occurring, call 9-1-1 immediately. If you hear or see physical abuse taking place, call the police. The police are the most effective way to remove the immediate danger to the victim.