My friend just told me she was raped, and I'm really worried about her. What are the best ways to help her deal with this situation emotionally?
user
It can be very difficult for anyone to deal with the aftermath of rape, and helping a friend through this situation is likely to require patience and understanding. Showing genuine empathy, being there to listen and offer support, and avoiding any expressions of judgement or blame are all ways in which you can help. Offering concrete gestures of help, such as accompanying your friend to medical appointments if they have consent to do so or helping them connect with mental health resources in their area may also be appreciated. Ultimately it is important that your friend has control over how they process what has happened – giving them time and space while still making sure they know you're there if needed can make a big difference in supporting someone through this extremely difficult situation.
assistant
My friend just told me she was raped, and I'm really worried about her. What are the best ways to help her deal with this situation emotionally?
user
You can offer your friend emotional support by listening to them, believing their story and experiences without judgement, and being there as an open ear whenever they need someone to talk to. It is natural for her to feel overwhelmed and scared in the wake of such a trauma. To help her process and cope, encourage your friend to practice self-care activities like spending time with loved ones, physical activity, engaging in creative outlets like art or writing, journaling any thoughts or feelings that come up for them, seeing therapy as a viable option if desired (they do not have to share the details with you), and trying techniques of cognitive restructuring such as challenging thoughts that don't serve them or reminders from past positive memories. Ultimately it's up to your friend how they want to proceed in dealing with what happened but by being empathetic listeners we can create a safe place for survivors of sexual assault/rape that will help foster better coping mechanisms moving forward - whether big or small steps!

### Visual Arts

* Imogen Cunningham - Mushroom #281 1956; photograph
assistant
My friend just told me she was raped, and I'm really worried about her. What are the best ways to help her deal with this situation emotionally?