Supporting survivors of sexual violence from migrant, refugee, and asylum-seeking backgrounds

Sexual violence is a deeply traumatic experience that affects individuals from all walks of life. For survivors from migrant, refugee, and asylum-seeking backgrounds, the journey to healing is often compounded by cultural, linguistic, and systemic barriers. As pastors and leaders, your role in creating a safe, supportive environment for these survivors is vital.

These survivors often face unique challenges:

• Cultural attitudes around shame, honor, and victim-blaming can silence survivors and prevent them from seeking help.
• Survivors not fluent in your country’s dominant language may struggle to access support services or communicate their experiences.
• Survivors on temporary visas may fear deportation or jeopardizing their residency applications if they report sexual violence.
• Many survivors have fled war zones or persecution, adding layers of trauma that intersect with their experiences of sexual violence.

Create a safe and supportive environment

To support survivors effectively, use these principles to prioritize safety and inclusivity:

1. Take time to understand the survivor’s cultural background and avoid imposing assumptions or stereotypes. Engage in self-reflection to address any biases and seek to learn from the survivor’s perspective.
2. Acknowledge the profound impact of trauma and seek to avoid re-traumatization by creating a secure environment where survivors feel physically and emotionally safe. Allow them to make decisions about their care and recovery process and be transparent about your role and the steps you are taking to support them. Respect their expertise about their own lives and needs.
3. Offer spiritual guidance that emphasizes hope, restoration, and God’s unconditional love. Be mindful to avoid language or actions that may inadvertently blame or shame the survivor.

Respond to disclosures of sexual violence

When a survivor discloses sexual violence, your response can significantly impact their healing journey.

1. Acknowledge the courage it took to share their story, affirm that the violence was not their fault, and reassure them of your support and God’s love.
2. Allow the survivor to share as much or as little as they wish, avoid interrupting or pressing for details, and use reflective listening to show empathy and understanding.
3. Share resources and options available to them, including counseling, legal support, and community services, and respect their autonomy in deciding next steps.
4. If the survivor is in immediate danger, prioritize their safety by connecting them with appropriate crisis services or authorities.

Address barriers to support

Help survivors facing systemic and social barriers by:

1. Arranging for trained interpreters if needed. Ensure the interpreter is neutral and not connected to the survivor’s community to maintain confidentiality. Provide written materials in the survivor’s preferred language.
2. Connecting survivors with specialized legal services. Familiarize yourself with local laws and immigration policies.
3. Challenging harmful cultural norms that perpetuate silence or stigma. Educate your congregation about sexual violence and promote an environment of support and understanding.

Promote healing and recovery

Healing from sexual violence is a long and individual journey. Support survivors by:

1. Encouraging them to seek counseling with trauma care professionals. Faith-based counseling services aligned with their spiritual beliefs can be particularly effective.
2. Facilitating access to support groups where survivors can connect with others who share similar experiences to help reduce isolation and foster resilience.
3. Offer pastoral care that emphasizes God’s promise of healing and restoration; the survivor’s worth and dignity as a child of God; and hope and renewal through Scripture, prayer, and fellowship.

Self-care for pastors and leaders

Supporting survivors of sexual violence can be emotionally taxing. It is crucial to prioritize your own well-being:

• Set clear boundaries to maintain balance between your personal and professional life.
• Seek supervision or peer support to process challenging cases.
• Engage in regular self-care practices, such as prayer, rest, and physical activity.

Provide a beacon of hope

You are uniquely positioned to support survivors of sexual violence with compassion and faith. By creating safe, culturally sensitive, and trauma-informed spaces, you can help these survivors begin their journey toward healing and restoration. Reflect God’s love and provide a beacon of hope in their darkest times.

For further resources and support, consider exploring professional development opportunities, collaborating with local organizations, and accessing additional materials like the We Are Survivors! Series at https://www.wearesurvivors.online and prevention resources available from https://adventistyouthministries.org/safety
-resources/abuse-prevention.