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| If someone comes to you for help, listen
and don’t try to take control. The following points may
help you: |
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Take the person seriously
and believe what they
say | |
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Be calm and
positive | |
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Respect their wishes at all
times. Ask what they
want | |
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Give them time to discuss
feelings and needs at their own
pace | |
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Stress that they are not
responsible for the abuse and that they are not
alone | |
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Find out if they need
medical help | |
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Use this website to find an
organisation that can
help | |
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Do not push them to do
anything they are not ready to do. They are
probably the best
judge of what the best way
forward is and what action is
safe. | |
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Assist them in making
contact with agencies who may be able to help,
e.g. Police, Next Link, legal
advice |
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Help them to keep safe by
making a safety
plan | |
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Assure them of your
confidentiality. Check whether it is safe to
contact them and what the safest way is of keeping
in touch. | |
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Some people leave a violent and abusive
relationship after only one incident. Others may take a
long time to make this change in their lives. This does
not mean that the violence is less serious. It is
important that if someone feels unable to leave, they
continue to receive help and support and a sympathetic
response. There are organisations that can help women
and men who are not ready to leave.
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