Responding to show your understanding and support:

Listen

Believe --“I believe what you're telling me.”

Assure –“What happened was not okay. I'm glad you told me.”

Support by expressing compassion and understanding – “It's not your fault.”

Empower by recognizing a person’s strengths –“It takes courage to talk about this.”

Refer. Know your resources and how to access them.

Respect the person's needs (i.e. for safety, for confidentiality, etc.)

Confidentiality and mandated reporting:

All abuse of young people up to age 18 must be reported to law enforcement or to Child Protective Services.

Maintaining confidentiality does not mean keeping knowledge of abuse or assault a secret. Even while filing a report, mandated by law, you can maintain a respectful, confidential relationship with a young person by assuring her/him that the knowledge you have will not become an item of gossip or be routinely shared with other colleagues.

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