At home
Everyone should feel safe and cared for at home, but if someone
in your family is violent, it can be scary.
Adults may be hurting each other or one of them may be hurting
you. This is called domestic abuse and can happen in all kinds of
families.
Sometimes an adult hurts or doesn’t take good care of a young
person, or touches him or her in a way that makes them feel
uncomfortable. This is wrong and we call this child abuse.
Domestic abuse may involve making someone feel worthless or
ignored. It may include shouting, arguing, hitting or fighting.
Hearing or seeing someone you love being upset is really
frightening and can make you feel angry, helpless, sad, guilty or
ashamed. It can affect your schoolwork and you might have trouble
sleeping.
How to get help
If you can, try talking to someone you trust - like a teacher or
a relative - about what's happening. They will be able to help get
it stopped.
Remember, domestic abuse is not your fault. It's only the fault
of the person who is doing it.
Sometimes young people try to step in and stop the abuse, but
they risk getting hurt themselves. If you feel someone is in danger
call the police by ringing 999 and give the
following information;
- Your name, age and phone number
- Explain what's happening and where
- Who is there?
- What has or is being said or done
- If you or anyone else is hurt or anything got damaged.