What is compassion? Compassion is the “sympathetic consciousness of others’ distress together with a desire to alleviate it” (Merriam-Webster Dictionary). Most of us exemplify compassion in our daily lives- when we give some spare change to someone that is homeless, when we offer to help a classmate with math problems that they are struggling with, or when we help a friend have a good time after a painful breakup.
The one area where compassion seems to be lacking is in the cases of sexual assault and rape. Some people have a lack of compassion for survivors of these tragedies. They reason that the victims “asked for it” because of the way they were dressed or the way they acted. These people don’t understand how their lack of compassion affects the survivors. What these people need to understand is that it is not the survivors’ fault. They were not asking to be assaulted or raped. Survivors go through enough mental turmoil following the incidences; they don’t need more of it from insensitive people.
While it may be hard for people to comfort or understand what a survivor is going through, demonstrating compassion is a good first step. If the survivor wants to share what happened, listen to them. Actually try to understand what they are going through but don’t pretend you already know. Second, give your support. Offer to go with them to the hospital or police station. Show that you want to accompany them so they don’t have to go alone. Just having you there could mean the world to the survivors.
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