Get informed : Violence

Talk about it. Silence is an attacker’s biggest ally. Some people may go to extreme lengths to preserve that silence! As long as people stay silent, attackers remain safe from all consequences, violent acts may continue, and the number of victims may increases.

Ratting someone out versus asking for help. There’s a difference between ratting someone out — that is, revealing information in order to harm or punish someone (being a stool pigeon) — and talking about a situation in order to receive help or help someone else. In summary, talking about a situation allows:

• An adult or person in a position of authority to protect the victims of violence
• Appropriate help to be made available to everyone (both the person who commits the violent acts and the victim)

Talking about things may sometimes be very difficult because the victim:

• May think they’re responsible for the attack (although this isn’t true)
• Is often afraid of not being believed
• May prefer to try to work things out themselves and may try to convince themselves that time will take care of everything
• May be related or attached to the person who attacked
• Is afraid and often finds themself threatened and/or controlled
• Is aware that talking about things can result in consequences, including legal action and prison sentences, for the person who committed the acts
• Gets overwhelmed by events and goes through a whirlwind of emotions (fear, anger)

Better late than never. It can take some time before some people are ready to talk about a violent situation. Some people make this choice several years after the attack, in order to free themselves of a burden that has become too heavy for them to bear.