Self-Care for Supporters

Supporting someone after a sexual assault can bring up a range of emotions and questions. It is normal to experience feelings such as sadness, anger, confusion, or helplessness when someone you care about has been impacted. Your response matters, and so does your well-being. Taking time to seek support for yourself can help you continue showing up in a sustainable and compassionate way. Support is available for friends, partners, and loved ones as well.

Consider the following self-care practices:
• Acknowledge your own feelings and give yourself permission to process them.
• Maintain your regular routines, including sleep, nutrition, movement, and rest.
• Set healthy boundaries and recognize that you cannot "fix" what happened.
• Seek support from a trusted friend, counselor, church leader, or other support person while respecting the survivor's privacy.
• Engage in activities that help you recharge, such as spending time outdoors, journaling, exercising, creating art, or practicing mindfulness.
• Take breaks when needed and allow yourself time to decompress.

Remember, supporting a survivor can be emotionally demanding. Taking care of your own well-being is not selfish—it helps ensure you can continue to show up with compassion, patience, and support.