INSIDE OUT Support Groups for Friends & Family
Most people who are affected by abusive and violent behaviour turn first to family and friends for support.
What you say or do therefore can be vitally important. Your support and encouragement can assist them to feel stronger and
more able to make decisions.The most important
thing you can do is to listen without judging, respect their decisions, and help them find ways to become stronger and feel
safer.Check how the person is feeling and where
they are at in their thinking about what to do. Help them explore their choices, developing a safety plan and/or leaving the
situation. Also carefully consider the consequences of each option. Avoid
saying negative things about the person who is using abusive and violent behaviour. Many people still feel love and commitment
to the relationship and may feel loyalty and protective of the person using violence.In thinking about the sort of help you may be able to give, it is important to know that
your support may be required over a long period of time. It is important to be there for the person but at the same time,
be clear about your limits. Keep clear in your mind
and your conversations that abusive and violent behaviour is unacceptable and there is no excuse for it.
