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Being safe in the community

What should you do if you are worried about your safety?

If you feel you are in immediate danger you should contact the police - dial 999.

For non-emergencies dial 101.

If you are under 19 and worried about anything you can call Childline 0800 1111

You can ask to speak to a social worker by contacting Brent Family Front Door on: 020 8937 4300 (9am - 5pm)

In an emergency call the duty team on: 020 8863 5250

Read our Top Tips for keeping safe

Online Safety

The internet is a great way to connect with your friends and learn new things; but it's also important to stay safe.

• There are a few ways you can help make sure you're not in danger when you use the internet.
• Be careful what you share online
• Think before you post
• Never share or reveal your passwords
• Be careful who you chat to

Top 3 tips for keeping safe online:

Be careful what you share
If you wouldn't want your teachers or parents to see it, it's probably best not to post it. Because once it's online, it's out of your control

Don't meet people you don't know
Even if you get on with them online, you never know who they really are

Use a complex password
It should be hard for other people to guess your password and it's a good idea to change it regularly.

Childline

Call 0800 1111 or visit https://www.childline.org.uk/

Just as you wouldn’t leave your front door or windows open, you shouldn’t leave your computer or phone unlocked.

Your computer, tablet and phone hold loads of information about you. Your name, address, birthday, a list of your friends, hobbies, text messages, private photos and videos. What else might be on there?

All of this is personal information which you need to keep secure. It’s valuable to you and to criminals. Make sure you keep it locked up and password protected!

If you are under 18 and worried about online abuse or the way someone has been communicating online, contact one of CEOP’s child protection advisers. CEOP is a law enforcement agency and was set up to keep children and young people safe from sexual exploitation and abuse.

Some of the things children and young people have reported include:

• Someone online has asked me to send them nude images
• I shared a nude image with someone online and they are threatening me
• I did something that I was embarrassed about on webcam and someone has turned nasty towards me
• Someone I don't know is asking me to live-stream and do things I don't want to do
• Someone online kept asking me to meet them face-to-face and I feel pressured by them
• Someone online was talking to me about sex and it made me feel uncomfortable
• Someone online is putting pressure on me to do things I don't want to do
• Someone I met in an online game keeps trying to talk to me privately

Bullying

Bullying affects lots of young people and is defined as repeated behaviour which is intended to hurt someone either emotionally or physically. It is often aimed at certain people because of their race, religion, gender or sexual orientation or any other aspect such as appearance or disability.

If you would like support and advice (from Bullying UK), you can talk to a Family Support Workers by calling our confidential helpline on 0808 800 2222.

Bullying can take many forms including:

• hitting, pinching, biting, pushing and shoving
• damaging belongings
• stealing money
• taking friends away
• posting insulting messages or rumours, in person on the internet or by IM (cyberbullying)
• threats and intimidation
• making silent or abusive phone calls
• sending offensive phone texts

Cyber bullying is bullying through a mobile phone or online (eg by email, instant messenger or on social network sites).

Kidscape offer practical tips to help you deal with bullying and its associated issues such as online safety, schooling, raising self-esteem and encouraging positive behaviour. Click on the picture below to visit the Kidscape website.

Bullying is a part of every teenager’s life whether they’re a victim, a bystander, or a perpetrator. Browse through our articles to find out how you can stop being bullied or help end bullying in your school and among your friends.

Even though bullying has been around for many years and isn’t likely to end any time soon, it isn’t something that should be ignored. The more people who learn how to handle bullying, the less of an impact it will have on everyone, especially those who are often the victims of bullying. The problem with many bullying situations is too many people are unwilling to step up and take action against the person who is performing the bullying actions. Learn how to handle bullying now!

Domestic Abuse

Domestic abuse is any type of controlling, bullying, threatening or violent behaviour between people in a relationship. But it isn’t just physical violence – domestic abuse includes emotional, physical, sexual, financial or psychological abuse.

Abusive behaviour can occur in any relationship. It can continue even after the relationship has ended. Both men and women can be abused or abusers.

Domestic abuse can seriously harm children and young people. Witnessing domestic abuse is child abuse, and teenagers can suffer domestic abuse in their relationships.

The Hideout 
A website which helps children and young people to understand domestic abuse and how to take a positive action if it is happening to you.

Refuge 
Services for young women including independent domestic violence advocates and support workers.

Respect Not Fear
This website includes information about respect in relationships

Rape Crisis 
This website contains advice about rape and sexual violence and gives the details of the nearest Rape Crisis Centre if you need support.