To people trying to help a survivor of sexual assault, take note. Saying the following could lead to serious harm:

“At least it wasn’t worse!”
“Let’s take your mind off of this.”
“Just move on with your life.”

Even when delivered by well-meaning loved ones, these reactions might cause long-tasting damage, according to an analysis published in Clinical Psychology Review.

The research analyzed data from 51 studies of survivors of sexual assault or other kinds of interpersonal violence. The analysis looked at whether survivors’ mental health was better or worse depending on the kinds of reactions they got when they told others - family, friends or professionals - about the assault.

Emily Dworkin, lead author and a senior fellow with the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Washington School of Medicine, said that the way people react to a disclosure of sexual assault matters. A lot. An interview with a sexual assault survivor confirms this.

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