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The full story
Sometimes, they say they love you. Other times, they pressure, force or threaten you into doing things. No matter the situation, Childline is here to listen.
How Childline can help
Childline offers confidential, non-judgemental support to help feel more in control and decide what you want to do next.
We’re separate from everyone in your life, and we can help you to talk to adults you trust if you want us to.
Talk to us in the way that feels most comfortable:
Talk online
Childline has lots of ways to talk online:
- Send a message
- Send an message 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
Sign to a counsellor
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.
Make a safety plan
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.
You're not alone: Watch The Full Story
Is Childline confidential?
Childline is a safe place to talk. Whenever you speak to us it’s confidential and we won’t tell other people what you’ve said.
We would only consider saying or doing something if:
- you ask us to
- we believe your life or someone else's life is in danger
- you're being hurt by someone in a position of trust who is able to hurt other children like a teacher, religious leader, sports coach, police officer or doctor
- you tell us that you're seriously hurting another person
- you tell us about another child who's being hurt and is not able to tell someone or understand what is happening to them
- we're told we have to by law, for example for a court case.
Not sure how much you are ready to share? That’s okay, you can say as much or as little as you want to.
Try talking to a counsellor about your worries or read more about our confidentiality promise.
What is sexual exploitation?
Sexual exploitation is when someone is given things, but then expected to do something sexual or share sexual images. It’s a type of abuse and it’s never okay for someone to pressure, trick or threaten you.
There are lots of ways that people might make you feel that you owe them, like offering you gifts, showing they care about you, or trying to make you feel special.
Some people will offer things like drugs, alcohol or money but expect you to do things in return, or it might be part of being in a gang. If you've been taken to another country and you’re expected to do something in return, that’s called trafficking.
Even if you’re in a relationship with someone, it’s never okay for you to feel pressured or like you owe them something.
Signs of being exploited
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.
Being told you owe someone
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.
What if we're in a relationship?
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.
Feeling scared to tell someone
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.
What is consent?
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.
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