It is a powerful statement. It is a declaration that the individual that just received surprising or shocking information believes the information to be true and that they stand with the person who delivered the information. In the case of the survivor of sexual abuse, the person hearing the shocking news may be the first time the survivor spoke of what happened to them.

I Corinthians 13:7 states, “⁷ Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.”

I believe you is a declaration that the survivor will not face the coming days alone.

I believe you means that the survivor will not navigate the justice system alone.

I believe you is the statement that the lies the survivor was told if they ever spoke up were just that, lies.

I believe you is telling the survivor that their voice matters in what happened to them.

I believe you means you listen to the survivor over the excuses of a perpetrator.

I believe you is a statement of love.