Question

Which of the following are examples of helpful ways of supporting a friend who discloses a harmful experience to you?

A) make sure that they go to the hospital so that they can get medical attention
B) patiently ask them carefully worded questions about what happened, so you can figure out whether or not it was actually assault
C) make sure that your social circle knows about what happened so that you can all work together to support your friend
D) none of the above

Answer 1

Helping a friend who has had a harmful experience involves offering them support for both their physical and emotional needs, respecting their privacy, and allowing them to control who knows about the incident.

Step-by-step explanation:

The proper ways to support a friend who discloses a harmful experience include ensuring they receive the necessary medical attention if needed, providing a listening ear, and respecting their privacy and wishes. Supporting a friend in a harmful situation requires sensitivity and respect for their autonomy. It is crucial to ensure that they are safe and to offer support that is based on their needs and desires. Privacy must be respected; sharing their experience without consent could exacerbate their trauma and is not considered supportive.

While it's essential to address physical health by suggesting a hospital visit if required (answer A), it's equally crucial to offer emotional support without pressing for details or making assumptions about the experience (answer B is not suggested, as it may revictimize the person), and to handle the information with confidentiality and respect for the person's agency—thus, spreading the information in the social circle without consent (answer C) can be harmful.