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Young Person's Guide to Protection |
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0800 800500
You have rights – sport should be fun. You should feel safe and enjoy your sport. You can’t do this if you feel unhappy – if someone is bullying or abusing you.
WHEN DO YOU KNOW IF SOMETHING IS WRONG?
Something is wrong if someone:
- Constantly teases you, shouts at you or calls you names
- Threatens, hits, kicks or punches you
- Touches you or does anything that makes you feel uncomfortable
- Makes suggestive remarks or tries to pressurise you into sexual activity
- Damages or steals your belonging
- Does anything that makes you feel lonely, upset, worried, unsafe, hurt or embarrassed.
If any of the above happens to you, do not wait for it to happen again, act immediately.
WHAT SHOULD YOU DO IF THIS IS HAPPENING TO YOU?
If you are being bullied or abused, it is not your fault. If this is happening try to:
- Be firm and tell the person to stop - make a lot of noise to attract attention
- Get away from the situation quickly, go to a public place to find help or call the police (999)
- Tell your parents/carers or an adult you can trust what has happened as soon as possible, so they can help you
- Keep a note of the date, time and place, what happened, how you felt and the name of anyone who may have seen what happened
- Use the 24hr free telephone help lines:
- Childline 0800 1111
- NSPCC 0800 800500
Remember - keep trying if you can't get through straight away!
Don't ignore what is happening - always tell someone you trust. Police stations and social services offices will have staff who are specially trained to support young people who have been bullied or abused.
Don't give up until someone helps you and you feel safe.
HOW CAN YOU HELP KEEP YOURSELF SAFE?
Make sure you always:
- Tell someone you trust, so they can help you
- Trust your instincts about the people you meet
- Avoid being alone or with just one other person
- Travel with a friend, avoid travelling in someone else's car by yourself
- Avoid going to other people's homes by yourself
- Carry a mobile phone, phone card or change.
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