Talking with a Significant Other

You may be wondering who you should tell or what you should say to significant people in your life. Parents, friends, employers, neighbors and partners can be sources of support and solace. Follow your own heart when deciding who to turn to. You may worry that you are relying on others too much. It is okay to ask for help in times of crisis. People who truly care about you will want to help; people who truly care about you may need to be told how to help you. It is okay to tell people what you need from them. It is okay to say:

• "I don't want to be touched."
• "I need to be held."
• "I would like to talk about what happened."
• "I don't want to discuss that."

MDVPTB is grateful to the Michigan Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence (MCADSV) for allowing us to excerpt this information from their publication, "A Handbook For Survivors Of Sexual Assault."