Introduction It is important for a survivor of sexual abuse to be listened to, and believed, whether they have recently been attacked, or are talking about events that happened some time ago, for example, in their childhood. This leaflet aims to give some helpful information on how to respond if you are in the situation where a family member, partner or friend has just started speaking out about their own experience of childhood sexual abuse or rape. This is a way of coping with what has happened. Remembering can be triggered by events such as the birth of a baby, a TV program, marriage, changing jobs, starting a new relationship, death of an abuser, etc. Do not ask them why they did not fight back.
People can freeze when confronted with a terrifying situation.
Do not ask why they did not say anything sooner. If it happened when they where young, they may have tried to tell but were ignored or disbelieved. Most people do try to tell someone at some time. Do not tell them what to do. They need to be in control of their own decisions about matters that affect them.