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Abuse

What is abuse?

Abuse is often about power. It’s when a person uses power to get you to do things you don’t want to do, causing mental or physical harm. Here are some different types of abuse:

  • Physical abuse

    Being hurt physically by someone for no reason.

  • Emotional or psychological abuse

    Trying to control or hurt your feelings, like always ignoring you, putting you down or saying mean things.

  • Verbal abuse

    Saying, shouting or writing horrible things about you.

  • Neglect

    Not being looked after properly or kept healthy, like not giving you enough food.

  • Sexual abuse

    Being touched where you shouldn’t be, kissed or forced to have sex when you don’t want to, often by someone older than you.

  • Online abuse or cyberbullying

    Any type of abuse that happens online, like through online gaming, social media, text messages, emails or online chats.

Abuse isn’t always carried out by a stranger. It can be someone you know. This can make it hard to speak up. If your family or others close to you don’t know about the abuse, they’ll think it’s safe to leave you with this person. That’s why they need to know as soon as possible.

If you’ve been abused, you might:

  • be wary of adults
  • find it hard to trust people
  • have problems making and keeping relationships
  • have difficulty concentrating
  • find that you are more irritable or emotional
  • do worse at school
  • have difficulties with trust when entering sexual relationships in the future
  • have low self-esteem, become depressed or anxious
  • be vulnerable to self-harm

Having one or more of these issues isn’t necessarily the result of abuse. But if you know you’ve suffered abuse, it’s important to get help straight away.

A young Black teenage boy wearing a hearing aid. He is laughing with a young Black man in the park.
Instead of seeing myself as a victim of circumstance, I started to see myself as the hero of my own story. I realised that true strength doesn’t mean never being afraid; it’s about having the courage to keep going.
Josiah

How to get help for abuse

Abuse is always wrong and it must be stopped. It’s horrible while it is happening, and it can affect your life later on. If you’re experiencing abuse, talk to someone. They can help make it stop. The sooner you talk to someone, the less likely it is you’ll have problems later in life.

Start by speak to a friend or family member. If that’s difficult because they know the abuser, speak to someone else you trust, like a teacher or faith leader.

You can also speak to your GP. Even if your GP knows this person, they will be able to help you.

If you don’t feel you can talk to people you know, call a helpline.

Get more advice on speaking to your GP

Are you at risk right now?

  • If you are in immediate danger, call 999.

    If you’re having a mental health crisis and need urgent help, find out who to contact on our urgent help page.

Get help now

Below are some services and helplines that can support you if you’re experiencing abuse.

If you are in immediate danger, call 999.

  • LoveRespect

    LoveRespect is run by Women's Aid.

    It provides a safe, anonymous space, for 14-24 year olds to gain more understanding of healthy and unhealthy relationships.

    It offers resources for you and your friends if you’re experiencing domestic abuse, including identifying abuse, isolation, asking adults for help, mental health impacts, and more.

  • Victim Support

    Offers support to anyone affected by crime; not only those who experience it directly, but also their friends, family and any other people involved.

    Live webchat service available.

    Offers specialist support for children and young people affected by crime through their website You & Co.

    Opening times:
    24/7
  • Childline

    If you’re under 19 you can confidentially call, chat online or email about any problem big or small.

    Sign up for a free Childline locker (real name or email address not needed) to use their free 1-2-1 counsellor chat and email support service.

    Can provide a BSL interpreter if you are deaf or hearing-impaired.

    Hosts online message boards where you can share your experiences, have fun and get support from other young people in similar situations.

    Opening times:
    24/7

Whether you love the page or think something is missing, we appreciate your feedback. It all helps us to support more young people with their mental health.

Please be aware that this form isn’t a mental health support service. If you are in crisis right now and want to talk to someone urgently, find out who to contact on our urgent help page.

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Please note:

This form is not a mental health support service. We cannot reply to this. If you are at risk of immediate harm, call 999 and ask for an ambulance or go to your nearest A&E. If you are worried about your mental health, call: Childline (for under 19s) on 0800 11 11; or Samaritans on 116 123.

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