These tips can help you learn more about Child Abuse; how to stay safe; and what to do if you or someone you know is being abused.
How can I stay safe?
Identify the people that you trust most in the world...
This might be Mum, Dad, Grandad, Grandma, your teacher, your aunty or uncle, brother or sister. There are other people you may feel you can trust, such as policemen/women, your parents’ friends, your friends’ parents, or a Kids Help Line counsellor.
Talk to someone you trust
If you are feeling scared, sad or confused about anything, talk to a trusted adult.
Keep on telling...
Keep on telling different people if your problem is not being fixed. Keep telling someone until you feel safe.
Trust your feelings...
Listen carefully to what your body tells you about being touched, and watch out for any warning feelings that you might need help.
Know that your body belongs to you...
No one can touch any part of your body in a way that makes you feel scared, angry, sad or confused. This includes your private parts. It is okay to tell someone to stop if they are touching you in a way that hurts, or that you are not comfortable with.
Know the difference between SAFE and UNSAFE touching...
Some touching is friendly, loving or helpful, such as hugging Mum or Dad, holding hands with a friend, play wrestling with your brother, or giving your sister a shoulder massage.
Unsafe touching is when someone:
touches you when you do not want them to;
touches you in a sexy way;
touches you in a way that you feel uncomfortable, confused or scared;
if the touching is hurting you.
If you are unsure in any way about SAFE and UNSAFE touching, talk to a trusted adult.
What If I am being abused?
Child abuse is wrong, and never the fault of the young person.
If you or a friend are being abused, you need to tell and keep telling until someone listens.
Someone may have tried to make you feel ashamed or guilty for what has happened. You are not to blame for something they have done wrong. It is not your fault!
Don’t believe them if they say something bad will happen to you or your family if you tell. It is an unsafe secret, and it is okay to tell someone to keep yourself safe.
Nothing is so awful that it can’t be talked about.
If you are not sure, then listen to your body and your feelings.
How do I tell someone or report abuse?
Identify someone that you trust to tell.
Tell a trusted adult who can keep you safe, to help you to stop the abuse.
It may be very difficult, painful or scary for you to tell, and it may be hard for you to find the right words to explain. Take your time, and try to explain how you have been hurt. Lots of kids find talking face-to-face very difficult, so you might find it easier to write it down, make a phone call, send an email, or to draw a picture.
If the person hurting you is someone in your family, you may feel safe if you tell someone outside your family first – such as your teacher, or a Kids Help Line counsellor.
You can phone a Kids Help Line counsellor 24 hours a day on
(1800 55 1800) or access counsellors through email and web counselling at www.kidshelp.com.au
Keep telling until someone believes you. Keep telling until you feel safe.
What if someone I know is being abused?
If a friend tells you that abuse is happening, or you suspect they are being abused:
- Believe your friend.
- Offer support.
- Try not to appear shocked.
- Encourage them to tell an adult they trust, and let them know you will go with them if they want.
Don’t keep it to yourself – tell a trusted adult. It is an unsafe secret. It is important that your friend is made safe, and that the abuse does not continue to happen.
Help your friend to keep on telling until they are safe.
What if I am worried about
my own behaviour towards others?
It is not okay to touch another person after they have told you they don’t like it, or asked you to stop.
It is not okay to make others do something they do not want to do.
It is not too late, if you realise that you have been acting inappropriately towards others, but you may need some help.
Talk to your parents or a trusted adult about what is appropriate or inappropriate behaviour.
If it is difficult for you to talk about it, you may feel more comfortable talking to someone like a Kids Help Line, counsellor where your conversation is private, confidential and anonymous.
If you are feeling angry or aggressive toward others, you may be going through a difficult time, and need some extra help to cope with the stresses in your life. Talk to someone you trust about anything that is worrying or confusing you, or you may like to call a Kids Help Line counsellor.
Kids Help Line counsellors can be contacted 24 hours a day by phone 1800 55 1800, OR accessed through email and web counselling at www.kidshelp.com.au
The above tips were co-compiled by Kids Help Line & NAPCAN.
Get Help
How can we help?
- Kids Help Line will listen to you
- We will believe you
- We help you come up with possible solutions
- We help you to sort things out in your own way
- We will talk to you about who else might be able to help
Get Counselling
There are three ways you can talk to a counsellor. You can talk to us about any issue, big or small. You may be having a bad time and feeling down, or just want to have a really good talk with someone about every day things that happen at school, at home, or with friends. If it seems there is nobody else who understands, we are always here.
Phone Counselling
24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If you really need to talk to someone now, the fastest way is to call the Kids Help Line phone number 1800 55 1800, and speak with a counsellor in person.
If you're not sure about talking to someone on the phone, or can't get to a phone, you can use webcounselling or email.
Web Counselling
Available 3pm to 9pm Monday to Friday, 10am to 4pm Saturday (Queensland time)
Email Counselling
Sometimes, an email response can take up to two weeks. If you need to talk to a counsellor straight away, please ring us on
1800 55 1800.
The email and webcounselling services are provided by Kids Help Line, to give you an opportunity to try out counselling in a way that might feel most comfortable.
Please remember that if your issue is an urgent one, the telephone is still the fastest way of getting to a counsellor.
Who Else Can Help
Find out who else can help in your area, by searching for a service.
There are over 7,000 different services listed in the Kids Help Line database, searchable by postcode or keyword. Follow links to specific factual information about various topics, or links to other websites relating to issues covered in the infosheets. There are links to websites for Help Line's in other countries and many more useful links.
Start Here - for links to specific factual information about various topics.
Search for a Service that can help in and around your area.
Related Links - issue related links, websites for Help Line's in other countries and other useful information.
Service providers update or add your details by downloading the form and posting it to the address provided.
