Supporting a survivor of sexual assault can be an emotional and challenging experience, even for professionals. It can be scary for a survivor to disclose their sexual assault as they may not be sure how a person may react. Your reaction to their disclosure and the support you provide them will be critical to their healing, especially if you are the first person they share their experience with. Many survivors may hesitate in reaching out and seeking professional help for a number of reasons including concerns about privacy. You may be in a position of supporting a sexual assault survivor and providing them with crucial information about their options and rights. It can also be important for you to identify culturally specific organizations that may help with diverse clients.
The upcoming pages offer up to date information for professionals about resources and options available to survivors of sexual assault in Colorado. We have included tips on what to say and additional resources you could refer survivors to.
