guilt

[bobinbelgium]

I wonder if anyone can help. I have recently moved to brussels and made some very good friends here. This past weekend a few of us met up to watch the england match in the local sports bar. we all had a lovely time and went out for a bite too eat and a few more drinks. One of my friends was with her boyfriend that happened to have that one too many and decided he should go home early. we had ine more drink and my friend said she was off home. I asked her if she needed me to walk her and she said to me " im pretty sure i can make it on my own its only up the road" I got a phone call 20 min. late from her asking of I had seen her boyfriend as she was locked out of her flat. Half an hour later i got another phone call from the police saying she was on her way to hospital. It turns out right after she put the phine down she was attacked and sexually assulted not 20 meters from her house. I went to see her and take her home etc etc but i cannot help feeling a terrible amount of guilt and cant seem to pull myself together. I know what has happened to her is terrible but she has family and friends here and i am all alone with no one to talk to about it. Does anyone know of an online sevice or any where i vcan get a bit of advice. not only for me but for her as well?

[Octavius]

Here:

http://www.professionalcounselling.co.uk/trauma_PTSD_debrief_counselling.html

and

http://www.dmu.ac.uk/study/student_services/counselling/common/trauma.jsp

[unruliejulie]

do not feel guilty, as W~M says quite rightly, they are the only felons! You would not have let ther walk alone if you had known what would happen to her. No way could you have forseen such a terrible thing. It only happens to other people doesn't it! Can you imagine the guilt her boyfriend is feeling right now. Guilt helps no-one, whats done is done and no amount of guilt will change that. She has her b/f to support her and you will be there for them both should they need you to be. You didn't do anything wrong!!!! A lot of women like to remain independant and refuse mens offers of walking them home. She just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.Try not to let this affect you too much, she will need you to be strong! Good luck