If You Are A Third Party To Abuse…

If you witness abuse or are aware of someone who has been abused, you
may not be sure what you should or shouldn’t do to help. The following
list describes things you can do to help.

• You can report the abuse to appropriate government organizations.
  • If you are a mandated abuse reporter because of your
    professional role with respect to the abuse victim, you have no choice
    but to report the abuse to the appropriate state agency. It is your
    professional and ethical responsibility to do so and if you do not, you
    may be held liable.
  • If
    you are not a mandated reporter, you can still can choose to do so by
    contacting the police or the relevant government agency. A list of
    protective service agencies by state is provided as an appendix to this
    document
• Encourage the victim to seek help (e.g., from the police, a lawyer, the courts, an abuse shelter, etc.)
• You can listen to the victim and be a shoulder
  for them to vent upon. Talk with them and help them understand the
  nature of what abuse is and that it is happening to them. They may be
  in denial and not realize that what they’re experiencing is not safe or
  normal or necessary. Having someone to talk to or assist in locating
  resources can be a huge comfort, especially when the person listens and
  does not judge the situation.
• You can offer support and assistance in
  helping the victim to make a plan for exiting the abuse. Give them
  numbers for local resources like domestic violence shelters. Help them
  to learn how to file a restraining order with the local court.
• Resist the urge to pass angry judgment, as
  this may turn the victim away from confiding in you. However, do feel
  free to label abuse as abuse, and to encourage the victim to seek out
  help.