The SARSVL Peer Support Group has come together to collect ideas for how friends, relatives, and loved ones can go about supporting survivors.

• Remind me it’s not my fault, and do this often
• Respect my safe place – I need to go there sometimes
• Remind me that what I am going through is a normal reaction to what has happened
• Ask me what I need to feel safe
• When I feel low, remind me of the good things in my life
• Give me hope, something to look forward to
• Help me ground myself
• Don’t let me dwell on the past
• Give me space to vent
• Be aware that something might trigger a learned reaction in my body
• Plan for us to do something together
• Just listen
• Tell me how you’re feeling and how my behaviour might be affecting you
• Distract me from what’s going on in my head

Above all, tell me that it’s ok to not be ok.