text: someone i love was sexually assaulted. i promised not to tell anyone, what can i do? i feel very confused.? i recently was told by this person that they were sexually assaulted by someone we both know. i made a promise before i was told that i would not say anything to anyone. i feel action needs to be taken, i cant let something like that happen and they get away with it. the victim wants to "forget about it" i dont think you can so easily. i love this person more than anything in the world, and wish for them to be ok and free of harm and troubles that can be caused by what has happened. what makes a person think its ok to not say anything and let it go? this person probably thinks it's ok not to say anythign and let it go because they are in a lot of pain, and would rather have it go away than have to face it. also, many sexually assaulted people feel ashamed because they think it was thier fault, while of course it was not. they don't like people probing into thier personal lives and into them as well.  this will not just go away though, if they don't tell someone and hopefully eventually face the perpatrator they will likely have it dwelling painfully within them until they die. if it is someone you both know, he/she may end up seeing that person again, which can cause alot more pain and such. also, if they tell someone they can get the help they need, so that they can eventually move on so to speak. i would suggest you call your doctor and ask him/her who you should talk to, there are specialists in this topic and they can help you figure out what needs to be done. they can help your friend in a sensitive and calm way. so, call your doctor or a rape hotline or something to get a number to call. i don't know what else to say, other than of course be very sensitive around your friend and to help him/her as much as you can, and to either convince him/her to get help or get him/her help yourself (don't come across to strongly though if you are trying to convince him/her to get help, that might push them away). whatever you choose, i wish you the best of luck!  -sarah