![\"3](\"https:\/\/www.safehorizon.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/3-Tips-for-Watching-Media-Movies-or-Documentaries-724x1024.png\")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
By Dana Rosenwasser<\/em> When stories of abuse and violence come to light through movies, documentaries or other media, many of us are compelled to want to see them and yet are often not prepared for the strong reactions we may experience while viewing them. In addition, many of these reactions may linger with us even after the movie ends. If you are a survivor of violence or abuse, it is very common to feel like you are actually \u201cre-experiencing\u201d your own trauma. Here are some tips you can use to take care of yourself.<\/p>\n Watching a movie or documentary alongside supportive people can help you feel more comforted. You can choose to watch media with family members, friends, or people who have had similar experiences as you. You can turn to them to help you work through any feelings or reactions you have during or after the movie.<\/p>\n If you don\u2019t have any immediate support, our Hotlines can provide support and referrals to services if you are in New York City. Visit our Hotlines page<\/a> or scroll down for more information.<\/p>\n There may be a point in the documentary or movie where you feel it is just too much and are flooded with emotions. \u00a0It\u2019s important that you don\u2019t feel obligated to watch the rest of the segment or return to finish it. Give yourself permission to turn it off, walk away, and leave it in the past.<\/p>\n There are many national and local organizations here to help support you.<\/p>\n If you are in New York City, Client Advocate Specialists at our Domestic Violence Hotline are able to provide both support and referrals to services. Our hotline is available 24-hours a day, seven days a week, and is both free and confidential. Call our domestic violence hotline: 1- 800-621-HOPE (4673).<\/p>\n For help outside New York City, contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or\u00a0visit their site<\/a>.<\/p>\n If you are in New York City and are a survivor or rape or sexual assault you can call the Client Advocate Specialists at 212-227-3000.<\/p>\n For help outside New York City, the RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network) operates the National Sexual Assault Telephone Hotline, a free and confidential hotline that is available 24\/7. Call 800.656.HOPE (4673) or visit their site<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Watching stories of abuse unfold onscreen can be triggering for survivors of abuse and violence. Use these tips to prepare for watching triggering media.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":13,"featured_media":{"id":6833,"alt_text":"3 Tips for Watching Media, Movies, or Documentaries","caption":"","description":"","media_type":"image","media_details":{"width":794,"height":1123,"file":"2019\/02\/3-Tips-for-Watching-Media-Movies-or-Documentaries.png","sizes":{"thumbnail":{"file":"3-Tips-for-Watching-Media-Movies-or-Documentaries-150x150.png","width":150,"height":150,"mime-type":"image\/png","source_url":"https:\/\/www.safehorizon.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/3-Tips-for-Watching-Media-Movies-or-Documentaries-150x150.png"},"medium":{"file":"3-Tips-for-Watching-Media-Movies-or-Documentaries-212x300.png","width":212,"height":300,"mime-type":"image\/png","source_url":"https:\/\/www.safehorizon.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/3-Tips-for-Watching-Media-Movies-or-Documentaries-212x300.png"},"medium_large":{"file":"3-Tips-for-Watching-Media-Movies-or-Documentaries-768x1086.png","width":768,"height":1086,"mime-type":"image\/png","source_url":"https:\/\/www.safehorizon.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/3-Tips-for-Watching-Media-Movies-or-Documentaries-768x1086.png"},"large":{"file":"3-Tips-for-Watching-Media-Movies-or-Documentaries-724x1024.png","width":724,"height":1024,"mime-type":"image\/png","source_url":"https:\/\/www.safehorizon.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/3-Tips-for-Watching-Media-Movies-or-Documentaries-724x1024.png"}},"image_meta":{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0","keywords":[]}},"post":6831,"source_url":"https:\/\/www.safehorizon.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/3-Tips-for-Watching-Media-Movies-or-Documentaries.png"},"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[2015],"tags":[103,105,775,1223,1221],"class_list":["post-6831","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-safe-blog","tag-rape","tag-sexual-assault","tag-trauma","tag-trauma-triggers","tag-triggering-media","issue-domestic-violence","issue-human-trafficking","issue-rape-and-sexual-assault","issue-stalking","issue-victims-of-other-abuse"],"acf":{"page_header_title":"","page_header_excerpt":"","page_header_image":false,"show_author_bio":false,"original_url":"","related_initiative_title":"Do you need help?","related_initiative_link":"\/hotlines","related_initiative_link_text":"Call our Hotlines for help","featured_posts":[{"ID":5189,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2017-12-26 19:31:15","post_date_gmt":"2017-12-26 19:31:15","post_content":"
\nFebruary 28, 2019<\/em><\/p>\n1. Create a Support System<\/h1>\n
2. Accept That It\u2019s OK to Stop<\/h1>\n
3. Know That Help is Available<\/h1>\n
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\r\n\r\nDecember 26, 2017<\/em>\r\n\r\nThe holidays can bring up all kinds of emotions. If someone close to you shares with you that they have had an experience of abuse or violence, it can be shocking, and often it\u2019s difficult to know what to say. If it happens, here are some ways you can help:\r\n1. Listen Compassionately and Without Judgment<\/h1>\r\nEven when you disagree or don't understand.\r\n\r\nKnow that trauma\u2014 both the experience itself and how its impact stays with us\u2014 can be challenging to communicate clearly to others.\u202f Be patient.\r\n
2. Let Them Guide the Conversation<\/h1>\r\nTry not to interrupt, even though you may be feeling anxious to take action. Asking yes or no questions might force them into an area they don\u2019t want to discuss. Instead, ask open-ended questions and let them decide how they want to answer.\r\n
3. Don't Make Assumptions<\/h1>\r\nAbout how they feel or what their needs are.\r\n\r\nYou can offer options, but avoid telling them what they \"should\u201d do, even with good intentions. Instead, ask how you can be helpful.\r\n
4. Remember that Healing is a Complex Process<\/h1>\r\nTheir experience may be affecting them in ways that might not make sense to you, but are very clear to them. The effects of trauma are both mental and physical, and they are far more complex to overcome than, \u201cTry not to think about it,\u201d or \u201cJust let it go,\u201d even if it occurred a long time ago.\r\n
5. Check in With Them Later<\/h1>\r\nAnd keep in mind that they may not feel like talking at the time.\r\n\r\nIt\u2019s important to let them know that you care, but not to go so far as to make them feel fussed over, or like they are a problem that needs to be managed.\r\n\r\nShare these tips by clicking the graphic below:<\/a>\r\n\r\n
![\"5](\"https:\/\/www.safehorizon.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/5-Ways-to-Support-Someone-You-Love-Who-Has-Experienced-a-Traumatic-Event-212x300.png\")
<\/a>\r\nPlease know that you and your loved one are not alone. If you need to talk, we\u2019re here to listen.<\/h2>\r\nSafe Horizon\u2019s Hotlines operate 24 hours a day, including on holidays. Your call is confidential. Whether you\u2019re in crisis or you\u2019re unsure if your experience constitutes abuse, violence, or crime, we\u2019re here to help. Call 1-800-621-HOPE (4673)<\/a> to speak with an advocate today or visit our Hotlines page for more information<\/a>.","post_title":"5 Ways to Support Someone You Love Who Has Experienced a Traumatic Event","post_excerpt":"Has someone shared with you their experience of abuse or violence? Read our 5 tips on how you can support someone who has experienced a traumatic event.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"5-ways-support-someone-experienced-traumatic-event","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-10 13:45:20","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-10 17:45:20","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"http:\/\/www.safehorizon.org\/?p=5189","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"title_font_size":"42","sub-headline_placement":false,"custom_scripts":false},"yoast_head":"\n