[troutman]

How to Listen to Women When They Share Their Stories of Sexual Assault

https://melmagazine.com/how-to-liste...t-3d5e3bba1659

Typically in these instances, they [men] revert to doing what they know how to do best: solve problems. If they can’t fix it, they feel weak or helpless, which can lead to defensiveness and misunderstandings. I hear a lot of the same things from other women who have been raped or assaulted.

But here’s the thing: It’s not your job to fix a woman who’s been assaulted; she’s internalized enough shame without having to worry about you.

I understand the impulse, though. And in defense of these men, there’s no handbook for them about how to best communicate with us when we confess some of our deepest pain and trauma. So allow me to help start such a playbook by giving you some tips that may put you on the path to sensitively supporting survivors of sexual assault — online and off.