We recognize that coming into contact with our office can be impactful to all parties who may be involved in a situation. We’re committed to supporting all parties, including students, employees, visitors, patients, reporting parties, and respondents. Whether you are a friend, colleague, or designated employee to someone who discloses an experience of misconduct to you or turns to you as a trusted contact, we’ve gathered some guidance to help you best support them.
If someone shares with you that they have experienced misconduct:
- It’s important to validate their experience, which will then create a safe space where they feel heard and believed.
- Reassure them that their reactions are normal, and they are not alone.
- Listen actively and let them share their experience at their own pace without pressing for details or offering unsolicited advice.
- Your primary role is to offer emotional support and respect their choices regarding next steps.
- Direct them to the Support and Reporting Options page on this site, where they can understand their options, find out how OCRC can help, and identify a number of confidential and private resources to support them.
If someone you know has experienced sexual assault, stalking, or dating or domestic violence:
- Direct them to the Confidential and Private Resources page on this site, where they can find support for their situation. For students, this includes, but isn’t limited to, USC Counseling & Mental Health and CARE-SC (the Confidential Advocacy, Resources, and Education Support Center), which offers 24/7 confidential support. For faculty or staff, the USC WorkWell Center can provide or connect them to confidential support.
- Let them know about supportive measures, which are services aimed at restoring or preserving their access to USC’s educational programs or activities (i.e., academic and housing accommodations).
- Encourage them to seek outside professional help, such as a counselor or therapist who specializes in trauma, while also respecting their decision if they are not ready to do so. Offer practical support, like checking in on them regularly, being a consistent and empathetic presence, and accompanying them to appointments if they wish.
- For further resources on supporting a friend who discloses an instance of sexual misconduct, see CARE-SC’s Frequently Asked Questions for Sexual Assault Prevention and Survivor Services. There is also a section of the FAQs titled “Helping Others” that may assist you.
If someone confides in you because they have been reported for potential wrongdoing:
- Being supportive doesn’t mean endorsing any specific view of the situation. Listen without judgment and let them share their feelings and experiences openly, without interruption. Balancing empathy with accountability is essential; it allows you to be there for your friend while staying grounded in respect for all parties involved.
- You may want to suggest that they seek therapy. A therapist can offer mental and emotional support as they navigate this difficult time.
- Supporting someone in this situation may take a toll on your emotional well-being, so be sure to establish boundaries to protect your mental health and clarify the extent of support you can provide.
- If they admit to inappropriate behavior, encourage them to consider therapy, workshops, or other forms of self-improvement. If they deny the allegations, emphasize the importance of handling the situation respectfully and maturely, regardless of the outcome.
Additionally, remember that Confidential and Private Resources are also available to you as you navigate through the challenges of supporting someone.