What You Can Do

Think about domestic violence as a major social problem that touches the lives of women, men and children of all social, economic and racial backgrounds. Focus on the ways in which you, as an empowered bystander, can get involved in bringing this to an end. The following are ways in which you can get involved:

If you know someone who is being abused, you can help by showing you care. Let them speak confidentially about their situation and without judgment. You may be the only person with whom they feel comfortable.

Show you care in these ways:

• Listen to them.
• Believe them.
• Do not judge them.
• Do not blame them.
• Assure them that they are not responsible for the abuse.

Give them the number of the hotline 888-774-2900.

Tell them that they deserve to be safe. Violence in a relationship is never acceptable. No one deserves to be abused.