The entire family and all those close to the Medical Whistleblower are affected when a Medical Whistleblower faces retaliation. Under stress it can become very difficult to maintain boundaries between work and family, and those closest to the Whistleblower may suffer the effects of stress caused by the working environment. With Whistleblower Retaliation in particular, the spouse and the children may themselves be targeted in attempts to undermine the Whistleblower. A better understanding of stress and the effects it can have on a person can help to those closest to the Medical Whistleblower deal with the signs of stress. Those supporting the Whistleblower need to know how to respond to the retaliation. Necessary action can be taken sooner rather than later to protect the Whistleblower from additional psychological violence in the workplace and before lasting emotional damage results. It is important to recognize that in most cases harassment and bullying can only be stopped by the intervention of someone from outside the situation who has the power to take sanctions against the perpetrator. Reconciliation attempts usually do more harm than good, empowering the perpetrator and disempowering the person being targeted