Crisis lines and counselors are available to assist them with their feelings and their concerns. Encouraging them to take advantage of these options can be beneficial both for them and for the victim by removing some of the pressures on her. Victims are often placed in the position of caretaking for the significant other, when it is important for her to concentrate on herself. Let secondary victims know that helping themselves in turn helps the victim, and they have no reason to feet selfish or guilty for examining and dealing with their emotions. Feeling responsible for the assault, that they should have been able to prevent it in some way.
Shame comes from believing myths about sexual assault.
They may be concerned about reactions from family members or the community about the sexual assault. If they believe that sexual assault has more to do with sex than violence, they may doubt the victim's experience or hold her responsible for the situation. Loss of intimacy. What appears to be distancing is actually completely related to the assault. Let the secondary victim know that re-establishing intimacy takes time, patience, and understanding.