How to Help Survivors of Domestic Violence

Domestic violence (also called intimate partner violence, or IPV) is a pervasive human rights violation affecting millions of people globally; it is not limited to any age, race, religion, or socioeconomic status. It encompasses not only physical violence, but emotional, psychological, sexual, and financial abuse.
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Offering your help for victims of domestic violence can be a crucial step in their healing and empowerment. Whether you know someone who is experiencing abuse or want to help survivors in general, this is your guide to offering effective assistance in their journey toward safety and recovery.

How to Help a Survivor You Know
Here are some strategies you can use to help individual survivors you know or come into contact with.

Understanding the Signs
Recognizing the signs of domestic violence is the first step in providing assistance. Symptoms may include:

• Physical injuries

 

• Changes in behavior or personality

 

• Isolation from friends and family

 

• Demonstrated stress or anxiety

Awareness of these signs enables you to approach the situation with sensitivity and care.

Offering Support
You can offer empathy, resources, and encouragement by doing the following:

• Listening without judgment. Offer a safe and confidential space for domestic violence survivor stories. Listen actively and without judgment, affirming their feelings and experiences. Acknowledge their strength in sharing their story and reassure them that the abuse is not their fault.

 

• Validating their feelings. Validation is powerful. Let survivors know that their feelings are reasonable and that it’s okay to feel scared, confused, or angry. Encouraging words and a supportive presence can be incredibly affirming.

 

• Providing information. Equip the person with resources for survivors of domestic violence, including information about what constitutes abuse and the cyclical nature of abuse. Understanding the dynamics of their situation can be empowering and can help them make informed decisions about their next steps.
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Providing Practical Assistance
If it’s appropriate and feasible for you to engage in domestic violence survivor intervention, you can do the following:

• Safety planning. Assist in developing a safety plan for the survivor. This is a personalized, practical plan that includes ways to remain safe while in a relationship, planning to leave, or after leaving. Safety planning might involve setting aside funds, securing important documents, or identifying a safe place to stay.

 

• Legal and medical help. Guide survivors to legal and medical resources tailored for abuse survivors. Offer to accompany them to court appearances or medical appointments if they are comfortable with it. Understanding their rights and available legal protections, like restraining orders, can be crucial.

 

• Financial support. Help survivors understand their financial situation and explore options for financial independence. This may involve creating a budget, opening a bank account, or finding employment.

Connecting to ResourcesYou should also help the survivor to identify and collect a list of organizations and programs that can help them stay safe and regain control over their lives, such as:

• Domestic violence hotlines and shelters. Provide information on local domestic violence hotlines, shelters, and other resources. These organizations offer confidential support, shelter, legal advocacy, and other services to help survivors escape abuse and begin rebuilding their lives.

 

• Counseling and support groups. Encourage seeking out professional counseling or support groups. These resources can offer a safe space for survivors to process their experiences and begin healing alongside others who have faced similar situations.

How to Help Survivors in Your Community and Beyond
You can support the cause of mitigating and reducing domestic violence and empowering survivors in a variety of ways.

Educate Yourself and Others
Increase your understanding of domestic violence and the challenges survivors of domestic violence face, then share this knowledge with others in your sphere of influence. Teach young people about healthy, respectful relationships and potential red flags to look out for. Make people aware that some demographics are more severely impacted by abuse than others (such as women of color, women with disabilities, and undocumented women) and may face greater barriers to getting the help they need.

Take Legislative Action
Vote for leaders, laws, programs, and funding that work to end domestic violence and provide more resources for survivors in more demographics.

Support Domestic Violence Organizations
Support organizations that work to prevent domestic violence and offer key services to survivors. You can do this in any of the following ways: 

• Following these organizations on social media and sharing their mission and calls to action with others

 

• Participating in events and fundraisers

 

• Volunteering your time

 

• Donating “wish list” and “special request” items posted on the organization’s website

 

• Making a financial donation

Supporting survivors of domestic violence is about empowering them to make their own decisions and supporting them through their journey, regardless of the choices they make. Your role is not to rescue or save them, but to be a consistent, supportive presence in their life. Remember, healing is a process, and your unwavering support can be a powerful source of strength for those navigating the aftermath of domestic violence.

Support Domestic Violence Survivors With Project Woman
Project Woman is dedicated to ending domestic violence and sexual assault by providing resources to protect, educate, and empower. We offer a wide range of programs and services to support those affected by domestic violence, sexual violence, intimate partner violence, dating violence, and/or stalking. 

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, do not wait. Call our 24-Hour Crisis Line at 1-800-634-9893.

Project Woman offers many ways to help survivors. Financial contributions help provide safety, shelter, and trauma-informed services. Donations of items on our wish list or posted on our Facebook page provide survivors with necessities and comfort. We also regularly post volunteer opportunities on our site. All gifts of money, items, and time — no matter how large or small — make a profound difference in people’s lives! Thank you for caring.