{"formatVersion":"1.1","id":"https://mentalhealth-v2.workspace-454808.chatgpt.site/library/if-you-are-a-third-party-to-abuse","path":"/library/if-you-are-a-third-party-to-abuse","url":"https://mentalhealth-v2.workspace-454808.chatgpt.site/library/if-you-are-a-third-party-to-abuse","title":"How to Help Abuse Victims","family":"Library detail","description":"Help abuse victims by reporting, encouraging, supporting, and assisting in exit planning.","language":"en-US","access":{"audience":"custom-shared-preview","indexable":true},"provenance":{"sourceUrl":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/library/if-you-are-a-third-party-to-abuse","wordpressId":"5015","contentCompleteness":"complete","dateScope":"original-source"},"authors":[],"dates":{"datePublished":"2024-05-31T23:31:39Z","dateModified":"2025-08-27T13:57:36Z"},"content":{"html":"<nav class=\"breadcrumbs\" aria-label=\"Breadcrumb\"><ol><li><a href=\"https://mentalhealth-v2.workspace-454808.chatgpt.site/\">Home</a></li><li><a href=\"https://mentalhealth-v2.workspace-454808.chatgpt.site/library\">Library</a></li><li><a href=\"https://mentalhealth-v2.workspace-454808.chatgpt.site/library/trauma\">Trauma &amp; Adversity</a></li><li><span aria-current=\"page\">How to Help Abuse Victims</span></li></ol></nav><div class=\"article-page article-standard\" data-library-standard><div class=\"article-main-grid\"><header class=\"article-heading\"><h1>How to Help Abuse Victims</h1><div class=\"article-dates\"><span>Published on <time datetime=\"2024-05-31T23:31:39Z\">May 31, 2024</time></span><span aria-hidden=\"true\"> · </span><span>Updated on <time datetime=\"2025-08-27T13:57:36Z\">August 27, 2025</time></span></div></header><div class=\"article-jumpbar\"></div><div class=\"article-layout\"><div class=\"article-reading\"><article class=\"prose\" id=\"article-content\"><p> If you witness abuse or are aware of someone who has been abused, you<br> may not be sure what you should or shouldn’t do to help. The following<br> list describes things you can do to help. </p><figure class=\"article-feature\"><img src=\"https://mentalhealth-v2.workspace-454808.chatgpt.site/assets/library/editorial-17217.webp\" alt=\"A woman speaks with a counselor in a bright consultation room.\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" loading=\"eager\" decoding=\"async\"></figure><section class=\"article-takeaways\" aria-labelledby=\"key-takeaways\"><h2 id=\"key-takeaways\">Key takeaways</h2><ul><li>People aware of abuse can help connect the affected person with appropriate protective services and local resources.</li><li>Nonjudgmental listening can reduce isolation and help someone recognize unsafe treatment.</li><li>Practical support with safety planning and access to assistance can help without blaming or alienating the person experiencing abuse.</li></ul></section><h2 data-editorial-heading=\"\" id=\"ways-to-support-someone-experiencing-abuse\">Ways to support someone experiencing abuse</h2><ul class=\"doc\"> <li class=\"doc\">You can report the abuse to appropriate government organizations. <ul class=\"doc2\"> <li class=\"doc2\">If you are a mandated abuse reporter because of your<br> professional role with respect to the abuse victim, you have no choice<br> but to report the abuse to the appropriate state agency. It is your<br> professional and ethical responsibility to do so and if you do not, you<br> may be held liable. </li> <li class=\"doc2\">If<br> you are not a mandated reporter, you can still can choose to do so by<br> contacting the police or the relevant government agency. A list of<br> protective service agencies by state is provided as an appendix to this<br> document </li> </ul> </li> <li class=\"doc\">Encourage the victim to seek help (e.g., from the police, a lawyer, the courts, an abuse shelter, etc.) </li> <li class=\"doc\">You can listen to the victim and be a shoulder<br> for them to vent upon. Talk with them and help them understand the<br> nature of what abuse is and that it is happening to them. They may be<br> in denial and not realize that what they're experiencing is not safe or<br> normal or necessary. Having someone to talk to or assist in locating<br> resources can be a huge comfort, especially when the person listens and<br> does not judge the situation. </li> <li class=\"doc\">You can offer support and assistance in<br> helping the victim to make a plan for exiting the abuse. Give them<br> numbers for local resources like domestic violence shelters. Help them<br> to learn how to file a restraining order with the local court. </li> <li class=\"doc\">Resist the urge to pass angry judgment, as<br> this may turn the victim away from confiding in you. However, do feel<br> free to label abuse as abuse, and to encourage the victim to seek out<br> help. </li> </ul></article><div class=\"article-endmatter\"><section class=\"article-about article-panel\"><h2 id=\"about-mentalhealth-com\">About MentalHealth.com</h2><p>MentalHealth.com helps people understand themselves, build healthier relationships, and access the right care. We bring together mental health education, diagnostics, and care management to support well-being throughout every phase of life.</p><div class=\"article-contributors\"></div></section><section class=\"article-medical article-panel article-pending\" role=\"note\" aria-label=\"Pending medical review\"><h2 id=\"medical-review-status\">Pending Medical Review</h2><p>We take mental health content seriously and follow industry-leading guidelines to ensure our users access the highest quality information. All editorial decisions for published content are made by the MentalHealth.com Editorial Team, with guidance from our Clinical Affairs Team.</p><a href=\"https://mentalhealth-v2.workspace-454808.chatgpt.site/publishing/editorial-policy\">Our medical review process</a></section><section class=\"article-expert article-expert-mobile\" aria-label=\"Subject matter expert\" data-expert-kind=\"related\"><p class=\"article-bio-role\">Subject matter expert</p><div class=\"article-expert-identity\"><img src=\"https://mentalhealth-v2.workspace-454808.chatgpt.site/assets/wordpress/9364.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"64\" height=\"64\" loading=\"lazy\"><h2><a href=\"https://mentalhealth-v2.workspace-454808.chatgpt.site/people/mark-dombeck\">Mark Vigil Dombeck <span class=\"expert-credentials\">Ph.D.</span></a></h2></div><p class=\"article-expert-focus\">Trauma-informed psychology</p><a class=\"profile-experience-link experience-button\" href=\"https://mentalhealth-v2.workspace-454808.chatgpt.site/people/mark-dombeck\">View experience</a></section><section class=\"article-topic-community article-topic-community-mobile\" aria-label=\"Related communities\"><img class=\"topic-community-banner\" src=\"https://mentalhealth-v2.workspace-454808.chatgpt.site/assets/library/editorial-10228.webp\" alt=\"\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" loading=\"lazy\"><p class=\"topic-community-label\">Related communities</p><h2>Mental Health</h2><p>A shared space to explore mental well-being, everyday experiences, and connection.</p><a href=\"https://mentalhealth-v2.workspace-454808.chatgpt.site/community/mental-health\">Explore community</a></section></div></div><aside class=\"article-sidebar\" tabindex=\"0\" data-bounded-rail=\"\" aria-label=\"Article navigation and related information\"><details class=\"article-contents\" open data-section-preview=\"3\" data-expanded=\"false\" data-scrolled-past=\"false\"><summary><strong>Table of contents</strong><span aria-hidden=\"true\"></span><small data-current-section=\"\">Choose a section</small></summary><nav aria-label=\"Article contents\"><ol id=\"article-section-list\"><li><a href=\"#ways-to-support-someone-experiencing-abuse\" title=\"Ways to support someone experiencing abuse\" aria-label=\"Ways to support someone experiencing abuse\">Ways to support someone experiencing abuse</a></li></ol><button type=\"button\" class=\"article-sections-toggle\" data-sections-toggle aria-controls=\"article-section-list\" aria-expanded=\"false\" hidden=\"\">View more</button></nav></details><section class=\"article-expert\" aria-label=\"Subject matter expert\" data-expert-kind=\"related\"><p class=\"article-bio-role\">Subject matter expert</p><div class=\"article-expert-identity\"><img src=\"https://mentalhealth-v2.workspace-454808.chatgpt.site/assets/wordpress/9364.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"64\" height=\"64\" loading=\"lazy\"><h2><a href=\"https://mentalhealth-v2.workspace-454808.chatgpt.site/people/mark-dombeck\">Mark Vigil Dombeck <span class=\"expert-credentials\">Ph.D.</span></a></h2></div><p class=\"article-expert-focus\">Trauma-informed psychology</p><a class=\"profile-experience-link experience-button\" href=\"https://mentalhealth-v2.workspace-454808.chatgpt.site/people/mark-dombeck\">View experience</a></section><section class=\"article-topic-community\" aria-label=\"Related communities\"><img class=\"topic-community-banner\" src=\"https://mentalhealth-v2.workspace-454808.chatgpt.site/assets/library/editorial-10228.webp\" alt=\"\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" loading=\"lazy\"><p class=\"topic-community-label\">Related communities</p><h2>Mental Health</h2><p>A shared space to explore mental well-being, everyday experiences, and connection.</p><a href=\"https://mentalhealth-v2.workspace-454808.chatgpt.site/community/mental-health\">Explore community</a></section></aside></div></div></div>","text":"HomeLibraryTrauma & AdversityHow to Help Abuse VictimsHow to Help Abuse VictimsPublished on May 31, 2024 · Updated on August 27, 2025 If you witness abuse or are aware of someone who has been abused, you may not be sure what you should or shouldn’t do to help. The following list describes things you can do to help. Key takeawaysPeople aware of abuse can help connect the affected person with appropriate protective services and local resources.Nonjudgmental listening can reduce isolation and help someone recognize unsafe treatment.Practical support with safety planning and access to assistance can help without blaming or alienating the person experiencing abuse.Ways to support someone experiencing abuse You can report the abuse to appropriate government organizations. If you are a mandated abuse reporter because of your professional role with respect to the abuse victim, you have no choice but to report the abuse to the appropriate state agency. It is your professional and ethical responsibility to do so and if you do not, you may be held liable. If you are not a mandated reporter, you can still can choose to do so by contacting the police or the relevant government agency. A list of protective service agencies by state is provided as an appendix to this document Encourage the victim to seek help (e.g., from the police, a lawyer, the courts, an abuse shelter, etc.) You can listen to the victim and be a shoulder for them to vent upon. Talk with them and help them understand the nature of what abuse is and that it is happening to them. They may be in denial and not realize that what they're experiencing is not safe or normal or necessary. Having someone to talk to or assist in locating resources can be a huge comfort, especially when the person listens and does not judge the situation. You can offer support and assistance in helping the victim to make a plan for exiting the abuse. Give them numbers for local resources like domestic violence shelters. Help them to learn how to file a restraining order with the local court. Resist the urge to pass angry judgment, as this may turn the victim away from confiding in you. However, do feel free to label abuse as abuse, and to encourage the victim to seek out help. About MentalHealth.comMentalHealth.com helps people understand themselves, build healthier relationships, and access the right care. We bring together mental health education, diagnostics, and care management to support well-being throughout every phase of life.Pending Medical ReviewWe take mental health content seriously and follow industry-leading guidelines to ensure our users access the highest quality information. All editorial decisions for published content are made by the MentalHealth.com Editorial Team, with guidance from our Clinical Affairs Team.Our medical review processSubject matter expertMark Vigil Dombeck Ph.D.Trauma-informed psychologyView experienceRelated communitiesMental HealthA shared space to explore mental well-being, everyday experiences, and connection.Explore communityTable of contentsChoose a sectionWays to support someone experiencing abuseView moreSubject matter expertMark Vigil Dombeck Ph.D.Trauma-informed psychologyView experienceRelated communitiesMental HealthA shared space to explore mental well-being, everyday experiences, and connection.Explore 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