Staying safe is about making sure that you are safe from harm and that you are able to make choices.
Abuse is when someone hurts you or treats you badly. Abuse is always wrong.
There are different kinds of abuse.
- Physical abuse is when someone hurts you, for example, by hitting, kicking or biting.
- Sexual abuse when someone touches your body or your private parts in ways that you do not want to happen, for example by kissing you, touching you, making you touch them or having sex with you when you do not want it.
- Emotional abuse is when people talk to you in nasty ways, for example threatening you, shouting at you, teasing you, swearing at you, ignoring you or treating you like a child.
- Neglect is when you are not being looked after or supervised properly. If the people who are supposed to look after you don't give you the important things you need, or make it hard for you to take care of yourself, then that's neglect.
- Financial Abuse is when people take your money or things which belong to you.
- Discrimination is when people treat you unfairly because of your skin colour, your disability, your age, your religion or because you are lesbian or gay.
- Internet abuse - check out our page on Internet safety.
If these things happen to you tell someone that you trust. You could tell someone in your family, a friend, Connexions Personal Adviser, teacher or tutor, social worker or youth worker.
You could try these links for more specialist help:
Childline has lots of information on Domestic violence and Child abuse. You can also contact them on 0800 1111.
Samaritans provides confidential non-judgemental emotional support, 24 hours a day for people who are experiencing feelings of distress or despair
Visit CEOPS 'Thinkuknow' — the CEOP Centre's online safety centre, where you will find advice and tips for children, adults and professionals of all ages.