What is sex abuse?
- What will happen if I tell Social Services?
- Will they tell my Parents?
- Will I get taken away from home?
- What Will Happen to my Brothers and Sisters?
- If I ‘Tell’ how do I know Social Services
will believe me? - How do I know I will feel better if I tell?
- He/ she said if I tell anyone he/she will hurt other people, what do I do?
- If I tell my teacher will they tell anyone?
- I think my friend is being sexually abused. What should I do?
- Is there any point in telling Social Services and the police if the abuse has stopped?
- If I tell someone will Social Services come to my house even though the abuse has stopped?
- I really wish I had told the police or Social Services because I think he/she could abuse me or someone else again. Do you think I should say something?
- Will the abuser know that it was me who reported them?
- Do Social Services have to tell my parents/carers what happened to me?
- I really need to talk through what happened to me but don’t want my parents to know, what can I do?
- If I rang an agency like ‘Connexions’ and asked to talk it through with them, could they keep it a secret or would they have to tell other people?
If I tell my teacher will they
tell anyone?
Teachers have very clear procedures that they have to follow if they are told anything by a child or young person who says they are being abused or harmed in any way. They are not allowed to keep it a secret and they have to pass it on to Social Services. They should always explain this to you.
If you have a teacher whom you like and trust it is O.K. to talk to them. They will hopefully listen and reassure you that what has happened is not your fault. They can also be there to support you through what happens next.