Staying Safe

Advice and support to help you be as safe as possible

It’s important to be aware of what you can do to be as safe as possible. If someone is hurting you, or making you do things that you do not want to do, or making you feel afraid or worried please remember that this is not your fault and there is help available for you.

Talk to someone who can help you

If you have a worry the most important thing is to talk to someone who can help you.

Sometimes this is hard because you feel embarrassed or are not sure who they will tell. If you do not want to talk to your parents or carers you could talk to:

A teacher, or youth worker that you get on with
Your school nurse
Your school counsellor if there is one
A police officer if you have been victim of a crime
A counsellor on a helpline such as the NSPCC or Childline
If you are in care or ‘looked after’ by Hillingdon and you want to speak to someone independent, who can help you say what is happening, you can contact NYAS on 0808 808 1001 or help@NYAS.net
or the Children’s Rights and Participation Team on 07912 759284/ 07956 0625654

If I tell someone I feel unsafe will they tell someone else?

Only if they think that you may come to serious harm
Aside from that, different workers may have slightly different rules
It is a good idea to check before you talk to anyone what his or her rules are
Anyone who is going to pass on information that you have given them should talk to you about this
Remember that you can always talk to a doctor or a nurse about sexual health or contraception without him or her telling anyone else, unless they think you are at very serious risk of harm

If I tell a worker I have been abused will they always tell someone else?

All workers have a duty to tell the police or a social worker about any young person who may come to serious harm.

Different workers have slightly different rules about what and when they have to report. Check out before you talk to anyone what their rules are.

You can always talk to a doctor or a nurse about sexual health or contraception without them telling anyone else unless they think you are at very serious risk of harm.

Where to get advice without anyone else knowing

A good place to start is the internet. You can surf the net for free in your local library. The staff at the library will help you use the machines if you ask them. Some useful websites to try: