How to help a victim of relationship violence well?

Abstract

The aim of my study is to introduce the reader to the effective helping attitude, a victimcentred approach, that can be offered to victims of relationship violence. The study will provide knowledge on the conceptual issues, types and typical manifestations of relationship violence. It draws attention to the fact that effective work with the victim can only be achieved if the helper is aware of the psychodynamic processes of relational violence, its timeline and cyclical changes. The paper focuses on the detrimental impact of victim-affirming feedback on the victim’s internal processes of experiencing and offers ways to use effective facilitative communication.