The full story

Childline has lots of ways to talk online:

• Send an email
• Send an email to a counsellor and we’ll reply within 24 hours.
• 1-2-1 chats
• Use the 1-2-1 chats to speak directly to a counsellor.
• Talk to other young people
• Talk anonymously to other young people our safe space, the message boards.

Call free on 0800 1111.

The number won’t show up on phone bills and is free, even when you don’t have credit.

SignVideo lets you contact a counsellor through a BSL interpreter. You can use it between Monday – Friday, 8am - 8pm and on Saturdays, 8am - 1pm.

How to use SignVideo:

• open SignVideo and click "allow webcam"
• when you're connected, an interpreter will appear on your screen
• you can chat to the interpreter in BSL
• they'll translate your conversation to the counsellor.

If you’re scared, feeling unsafe or someone is being violent, then it can help to make a plan for how to get help. We’ve got lots of advice on how to make one, but you can also talk to a counsellor about one any time.

Remember, in an emergency you should always call 999.

Make a safety plan

It’s not always easy to tell if you’re being exploited, some signs can be:

• feeling like you can’t say no
• being offered money, drugs or gifts
• being blackmailed, threatened or hurt
• getting told you have to or something bad will happen
• being asked to hurt other people
• getting told not to tell other people.

If you’re not sure about something that’s happening or you want to talk, you can always speak to Childline.

Nobody has the right to make you feel like you owe them, even if they’ve given you gifts or helped you. 

If it feels like someone has power over you or you can’t say no, then it’s important to talk to someone you trust or speak to Childline.

There are lots of things that can make you feel good in a relationship, especially when someone helps you feel understood, loved or confident.

It’s never okay for someone to make you feel like you have to do sexual things to keep a relationship or to make someone care about you.

You can talk to Childline about anything. If you’re feeling confused about your relationship, you’re unsafe or you don’t feel like you’re in control of everything then it can help to talk.

There are lots of reasons you might be scared to talk. You might:

• feel like you want to handle things yourself
• have been threatened or blackmailed
• not be out about your sexuality or gender identity, and be scared of people finding out
• be worried about things you find positive ending
• not being believed, or getting blamed

If you’re scared about someone finding out, then talking to Childline can be a good first step. The counsellors can help you to think about what would happen if you got help, and how to make sure you’re safe in the future.

Consenting means you understand and agree to something without being pressured or feeling scared. Consent isn’t just about saying yes or no, and how you feel can change from one moment to the next.

You’re not giving consent if:

• you feel like you have to say yes
• you’re drunk or you’ve taken something
• you’re being blackmailed, threatened or hurt
• someone has told you something bad will happen
• you don’t know what’s going to happen
• someone has power over you or has made you feel like you owe them

If someone does something sexual with you and you’ve not agreed to it freely, then that’s sexual assault or rape. It’s never you’re fault and Childline is here to support you.