For people who witness abuse, it can be extremely frustrating. These are some of the common questions and concerns people express when they know or suspect someone is a victim of domestic violence: What do I do? Whom should I call? What if I am wrong? Is it none of my business? Is it a personal family matter? All of these are valid questions; however, we have a duty as a responsible member of society to offer information and resources to those we care about who may be living in fear. To test this, ask yourself, “What if the victim was my daughter, sister, mother, grandmother, or friend? Would I want them to be left in a dangerous situation where they could be hurt or killed?” The following page lists some ideas for you to consider when you know or suspect someone is a victim of domestic violence. Always remember that you must consider the safety of the victim as well as your and your family’s safety when offering assistance. When in doubt, call the police; it is not recommended to engage in a physical confrontation with an abuser. The decision to shelter a victim if their life is being threatened should be used with great caution and may not be the safest option for you or the victim of domestic violence.

What you can do to help:  Call 911; call the SafeSpace hotline at 1-800-244-5968 (you do not need to be the actual victim to ask for assistance); recommend that the victim call SafeSpace; let the victim know you are concerned for her/his safety and help her/him secure safe shelter.

Don’t ask questions that blame the victim such as: “Why haven’t you left?” “How come you let that happen?” “What did you say to provoke him/her?” Remember, victims of domestic violence often are afraid to leave their abuser or don’t have the resources to leave.  Be supportive and offer resources for safety.   Follow through on your promises of support.  Remain non-judgmental.  You can help end the cycle of violence for someone you care about and love. Let SafeSpace be a resource for you to better understand how you can help. Call the SafeSpace Hotline at 1-800-244-5968.