Children and Young People
For Children and Young People living with Domestic Abuse
Domestic abuse is when a grown-up in your family bullies another person in your family. It can happen between people who are married, and also between people who are boyfriend and girlfriend. The people don’t have to be living together either. Often domestic abuse happens because a man is bullying a woman, but domestic abuse can also happen when a woman bullies someone else
The bullying can by physical (hitting, pushing or kicking) but it can also be emotional (shouting, saying nasty things to make someone feel bad). Both of these are domestic abuse.
If someone in your family is violent or is bullying someone else, the most important thing to remember is that it’s not your fault. There are a lot of people who can help you and your family.
If you would like to talk to someone about how you feel about what’s happening in your family, Childline runs a free phone service. Just ring 0800 1111 or click here to go to the domestic abuse pages on their website.
The people at Childline are used to talking to children with all kinds of troubles. They will listen to what you have to say and give you the best help they can.
If you want to find out more about domestic abuse, The Hideout provides help, information and support forchildren and young people. The Hideout can help whether you’re living with abuse now, you’ve experienced abuse in the past or if you know someone else going through it and you’re looking for help and information.
It includes lots of information to explain what domestic abuse is, how it affects you and where you can go for more help. It also has a virtual refuge where you can explore the rooms and see what life is like inside a refuge.
Domestic Abuse and Young People
- Abuse can happen to anyone, regardless of your age, ethnicity, race or gender.
Abuse happens in young people’s relationships too:– if they hurt you physically, like hitting, grabbing, pushing, kicking or strangling you
– if they try to keep you away from your friends, or isolate you
– if they follow you, stalk you, monitor your actions or take your phone
– if they humiliate you, call you names, put you down or shout at you
– if they try to threaten or pressure you into having sex, or don’t accept “no” for an answer
– if they take your money or steal from you
– if they try to control what you wear, what you do or who you talk toIf any of these things are present in your relationship, you may want to speak to someone you trust. This could be a family member, a school counsellor, a teacher, your doctor, or a youth worker.Abuse is never okay, and help is available:
You can call us on 01284 753085 for confidential advice and help.
You can also speak to someone at Childline on 0800 1111 or click here to go to the domestic abuse pages on their website.
There is more information about domestic abuse in young people’s relationships at the DISRESPECT NOBODY website.
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