His Heart Scribe Inspirations Devotional Magazine January 2015 January 2015 | Page 17

January—February 2015 (Continued from page 16) the victim will be less inclined to tell anyone else," she says, " especially anyone who is in a place to help.” Don’t instruct what to do next. Offer optio ns. No matter how bad you want your friend to get checked out at a hospital and to report the incident to the police, don’t tell him or her what to do, Folsom says. “ Power and control has been taken away from them, and we want to reinstate this power by allowing victims to choose their own path, ” she says. “ Give options such as reporting it to the police, seeking help from a community resource including counseling or, if the victim is a college student, consulting with proper administrators .” Don’t try to handle it alone. Get help. Unless you’re a licensed counselor, odds are you’re not well-equipped to handle the situation on your own, Folsom says. Offer all the support you can, but know when to tap out. “ Be as supportive as you possibly can while recognizing your own limitations ,” she says. " I work with students whose friends have been affected, and it is not easy for them be the victim's primary source of support. It is OK to defer to professionals. The more aware you are of your role, the better equipped you will be to help your friend." Trying to shoulder the entire load can have an impact on you, Folsom says, so make sure you take the time to address your own mental health. “ There are numerous resources across the country with trained professionals, including national and state hotlines available 24/7, community resources, victim advocates, counseling centers and more who all can assist in providing support to both you and the victim.” For more guidance, contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at (800) 656 HOPE(4673). Amir Khan is a Health + Wellness reporter at U.S. News. You can follow him on Twitter, connect with him on LinkedIn or email him at [email protected]. 17