How to Support Sexual Assault Survivors During High-Profile Cases in the Media
Why Media Coverage Matters
High-profile sexual assault cases often ignite public conversation. While these stories may raise awareness, they are deeply sensitive topics that need to be handled with care. Survivors watching the news or scrolling through social media are frequently exposed to disbelief, victim-blaming, or sensationalized details that echo their own trauma.
For many survivors, the public reaction to these stories feels just as painful as the coverage itself. When society questions why someone didn’t come forward sooner, minimizes their experiences, or debates their worthiness of belief, it sends messages that invalidate survivors, and sometimes can even cause more harm to them.
This is why the way media, online, workplaces, communities, and the broader public handle these conversations makes such a profound difference.
Survivors Do NOT Owe Anyone Their Story
One of the most harmful assumptions in public conversations is that survivors should speak out quickly and in detail. In reality, no survivor ever owes anyone their story. Pressuring someone to share, or criticizing them for not speaking up sooner, adds another layer of harm.
It is normal, and often protective for survivors to wait years or even decades before disclosing what happened. Reasons may include:
Safety concerns: Fear of retaliation from the perpetrator or community.
Shame and self-blame: Trauma often leaves survivors feeling responsible, even when they aren’t.
Lack of support: If survivors expect disbelief, silence feels safer.
Emotional overwhelm: Talking about trauma can trigger flashbacks and body-based reactions.
Cultural or systemic barriers: Survivors from marginalized communities may face heightened risks if they disclose.
When someone does share, it is an act of profound trust. Communities that respond with belief, validation, and respect make healing possible.
The Role of Social Media
Social media can be both helpful and harmful during high-profile sexual assault cases. On one hand, it allows survivors and advocates to share their voices, raise awareness, and connect with supportive communities. On the other hand, it can spread misinformation, encourage cruel or dismissive comments, and leave survivors feeling retraumatized as their experiences are debated in public.
If you want to use social media responsibly, here are some clear steps with explanations:
Pause Before Posting: Before sharing an article, meme, or opinion, take a moment to ask yourself: Could this hurt someone who has lived through assault? For example, posting a joke about a case or speculating about details may seem harmless to you but can feel deeply invalidating to survivors who are reading.
Avoid Graphic or Sensational Content: This means posts or news stories that exaggerate or dramatize details in order to shock or get clicks. This might look like headlines in all caps or unnecessary graphic descriptions. If you share articles, choose ones that are respectful, accurate, and focus on the facts rather than shock value.
Challenge Harmful Commentary: Victim-blaming happens when people suggest a survivor is at fault for what happened, such as saying, “Why didn’t they leave?” or “They shouldn’t have been drinking.” Dismissing or silencing victims looks like saying, “That happened years ago, it doesn’t matter now,” or, “They’re just looking for attention.” In reality, no matter the context, no one is ever responsible for being assaulted.
Amplify Survivor Voices: Survivors often write memoirs, start organizations, or create podcasts to tell their stories. Sharing their words directly, rather than speaking for them, shows respect and helps their perspectives reach wider audiences.
Be Mindful in Comment Sections: Survivors may be quietly reading without ever commenting. Sarcasm, harsh debates, or dismissive remarks can feel like fresh wounds. Try to contribute comments that are compassionate and supportive, or simply choose not to add to harmful conversations.
For Supporters
Cultural change happens when the public consistently chooses care over cruelty. Survivors are listening to how we talk, not just about them, but about sexual assault in general.
Believe survivors: Research shows false reports are rare. Trust survivors’ accounts without demanding proof.
Challenge harmful language: Replace comments like, “Why didn’t they just leave?” with reminders that trauma responses include freezing or complying to survive.
Support responsible media: Favor outlets that report with sensitivity and credible sources, rather than sensational or dismissive information.
Educate yourself: Read survivor memoirs, attend community workshops, and learn how systemic oppression affects trauma disclosure.
Model consent in daily life: Ask before hugging, posting photos, or sharing personal information. Teach children early that their bodies belong to them.
Advocate for survivor-centered policies: Support legislation that expands access to therapy, crisis centers, and protections for survivors in workplaces and schools.
Contribute resources: Donate to local shelters, hotlines, or legal aid organizations. Even small amounts can provide direct support to someone in crisis.
Taking Care of Yourself as a Supporter
Supporting survivors and engaging in advocacy can stir up powerful emotions. It is normal to feel anger, grief, or exhaustion. To sustain yourself:
Set limits on media intake: Curate your feed, mute triggering words, and choose reliable sources rather than endless scrolling.
Seek your own support: Talk with a therapist, peer group, or trusted friend about your feelings.
Practice grounding strategies: Breathwork, stretching, or even short walks can regulate your nervous system.
Balance advocacy with joy: Make time for hobbies, humor, and connection that restore energy.
Know your role: You cannot fix or heal someone else’s trauma. What you can do is show up consistently with compassion.
Taking care of yourself isn’t selfish. When you are grounded and resourced, you can stand alongside survivors more effectively and sustainably.
When headlines dominate, survivors may feel retraumatized by disbelief and harmful commentary. But when workplaces, communities, and the broader public step in with care, belief, and advocacy, the impact is transformative.
Supporting survivors is about consistency, compassion, and the willingness to challenge harmful norms, not perfection or knowing all the “right” things to say. Whether you are a friend, family member, coworker, a community leader, or simply part of the public conversation, your actions matter.
Every compassionate word, every refusal to participate in victim-blaming, every choice to share resources instead of rumors contributes to a safer world for survivors.
Reach out to start therapy or to learn more.
Resources for Supporters
Disclaimer:
⚠️ The content on this blog is intended for informational and educational purposes ONLY and should NOT be considered a substitute for personal professional mental health care, diagnosis, or treatment. Reading these posts does not establish a therapeutic relationship.
If you are currently in crisis, experiencing thoughts of harming yourself or others, or are in need of immediate support, please call 911 or contact a crisis line such as the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 (U.S.) or access your local emergency services.
These blog posts are written to explore topics like trauma, religious deconstruction, cults, identity development, and mental wellness in a thoughtful and compassionate way. They may (or may not) resonate deeply, especially for those healing from complex trauma, but they are NOT meant to replace individualized therapy or medical care.
