Being attacked

• Get as much attention as you can. Scream and shout, let off a personal alarm, whatever it takes.
• If possible, RUN. Head towards a lighted place and get inside.
• If your bag is snatched, let it go.
• Fight back only if you are being physically attacked.
• If you are badly hurt, ask someone to call an ambulance on 999.
• If you do not need medical attention, ring 999 and ask for the police. Try to stay calm and explain as clearly as you can exactly what
  happened. Describe the attacker. Ask the police officer what to do
  next. Someone may need to come out and talk to you.

Rape/Sexual assault

Both men and women can be raped and sexually assaulted. Whether or not to report the offence can be a difficult decision and the Oxford Sexual Abuse and Rape Crisis Line can help. They will listen to anything you have to say in confidence. Call 01865 726295.

If you decide to make a report go to the nearest police station. They have a better chance of collecting evidence if you do not wash or change clothes before going. If possible, take someone with you. You will probably be examined by a police surgeon in order to collect evidence for use in court. Even if there is no proof of penetration, the offender can still be charged with either sexual assault or attempted rape.

If you decide not to make a report, it’s wise to see your GP to check for STIs, pregnancy and injuries.

It is normal for victims to have feelings of fear, shame, self-disgust and anger, even though they are not to blame. Specialist police officers, counsellors and specialist organisations are trained to help people work through these feelings and not blame themselves.

Key links: www.childline.org.uk, www.kidscape.org.uk.

Bullying

Bullying can involve name-calling, physical attacks, being ignored or left out, having your possessions messed with, being ridiculed and other forms of harassment. No one has the right to hurt another person. If you are being bullied here’s what to do:

• Know that the bullying is not your fault. The bully needs to change, not you.
• Tell an adult you trust. If they do nothing, tell someone else. Keep telling until someone pays attention.
• It’s right to ask an adult for help but you don’t have to let them take over. Talk with them about what you want to happen.
• Tell your friends and ask for their help.
• Keep a diary of what the bullies do or say and how it makes you feel.
• Don’t exaggerate or lie. If you’re caught out you could lose all credibility.
• Try to stay in safe areas with other people around.
• Don’t fight back unless you absolutely have to.
• Get further help by using the links below.

More about Bullying

Phone/Txt/Online bullying

Threatening and abusive text messages or emails are a new form of bullying. To deal with it follow the general guidelines above with these additional tactics:

• Report what is happening to the phone/ISP company straightaway.
• Keep all messages if there’s space in your phone or inbox. Otherwise make a note of the time, date and content of each message and report to the phone/ISP company.
• Don’t respond. The bully may get bored and leave you alone.
• Be very careful about giving your mobile number or email address to people you barely know or don't really trust.

Key links: www.childline.org.uk, www.kidscape.org.uk, www.bullying.co.uk.

Abuse

There are four main kinds of abuse:

1. Physical abuse hurts your body by hitting, kicking, punching, burning, tying you up and so on.
2. Neglect ignores your needs, such as for food, warmth, medical care and emotional well-being.
3. Sexual abuse is force or pressure to have sex. This can be anything from kissing to touching that makes you feel uncomfortable to full sexual intercourse.
4. Emotional abuse involves treatment that makes you feel worthless, such as humiliation, constant criticism and withholding love and affection.

Young people from all kinds of homes and all kinds of families are abused, usually by people they know.

They may not tell anyone for fear of being taken into care or getting the abuser into trouble. The fact is that if you want to stay at home, social and health care will try to make it safe for you to do so. The abuser will have to get some help to stop the abuse but he or she will not necessarily be arrested.

If you think that you are being abused tell someone you trust, preferably an adult. If you can’t talk about it, write it down. Social and health care must help if you are being hurt or harmed at home. When you contact them, a social worker will try to find out what help you want and tell you what they can provide.

Childline and NSPCC can help you work out who to tell and put you in touch with helpful organisations. You can ring them free from any phone, even a call box. Whatever you tell them will be kept confidential.

Key Links: www.childline.org.uk, www.there4me.com, www.kidscape.org.uk.