Mennonite Central Committee

Supporting the Abused

 

If you get a call

• Thank God, because somebody in desperate life circumstances trusts you.

• Before a victim discloses, she (or he) will have survived MANY incidents of violence, and tried MANY ways to avoid the violence. Please take the report seriously.

• Violence escalates as part of a pattern of power and control. The risk for the victim increases once the abuse has been disclosed.

As a friend, caregiver or other type of support, you will want to be prepared before you receive a disclosure, by learning the local resources. Talk to the people at the transition house. Find out what the Crisis Line does. Get to know the police and the Victim Assistance volunteers. Then when you receive a disclosure of abuse, you will be aware of more options that may be helpful.

 

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