are injured, it is important that their injuries are attended to first. Be aware that an apparently uninjured young person may have internal injuries that reveal themselves more slowly. If there are professionals at the scene, such as paramedics or police, follow their directions. Address any other needs such as asking bystanders or media to move away. Preserve forensic evidence. If the young person has been a victim of assault, you need to consider the possibility that forensic evidence may need to be collected (e.g. cheek swabs, evidence on clothing or skin). Work with them to preserve such evidence, where possible, however you should not force them to do anything that they don’t want to do. Introduce the focus technique. The young person might have their own coping strategies. If they don’t, encourage them to try to focus on non-threatening things around them, using their senses, if they are willing to (291). For example, they may focus on the time passing on their watch or list the items in a supermarket. Give information. If the time is right, share sources of information associated with the trauma they’ve experienced. If the young person is in an abusive or coercive relationship, let them know that this can happen even if they don’t live together or aren’t officially a couple, and that it’s never their fault (292). Check that the young person understands what a healthy relationship can look like. Talk through the following signs: – Good communication. You and your partner can talk openly about things without feeling scared of what might happen or being judged for what you’ve said. – Mutual respect. You listen to each other and respect each other’s boundaries. Nobody does anything to make the other feel uncomfortable, scared, or humiliated. – Trust. You can trust each other without getting jealous, including being able to spend time with other people.
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