Below are some common questions from other children and young people. Click on any of the questions below to see the answer. If you can’t find what you’re looking for, you can contact a support service for help.
What happens after I tell someone?
Click here to read about what might happen after you tell someone.
Who should I talk to?
You can talk to a safe adult. Someone you trust. This can be:
- your parent or carer
- a teacher from your school
- a school counsellor
- a coach
- a doctor
- another safe adult
What if I don’t have an adult I trust to tell?
If you do not have a safe adult in your life, or you are not sure who you can trust, you can still get help. You can talk to a support service instead. Most are free, confidential, and available any time of day or night.
You are not alone, and you deserve support from someone who will listen and help keep you safe.
Can I stay anonymous?
Sometimes, yes. If you contact a support service, you can often choose not to give your name. You can talk about what is happening without saying who you are.
If you tell a trusted adult in your life, they will know who you are, but they should still keep your information private unless they need to share it to keep you safe.
Will anyone tell my parents?
A trusted adult should only tell your parents or carers if it is important for your safety.
If you are worried about this, you can say, “I’m scared my parents will be told.” The adult should explain what might happen and why.
If you do not feel safe talking to your parents, you can tell another adult or contact a support service instead.
What if I want to call the police but don’t know what to say?
The police will ask you questions. You can tell the police:
- what happened
- when it happened
- where it happened
- who was involved
- how it made you feel
You can tell the police about something happening now or something that happened a long time ago.
How do I get pictures or videos of me removed from the internet?
If someone has shared or is threatening to share pictures or videos of you, especially sexual ones, you can get help to have them taken down. You do not have to deal with this on your own.
The eSafety Commissioner can help remove images or videos from websites, social media, and other online platforms. They can also support you if someone is using the images to pressure, scare, or threaten you.
What if no one believes me?
A trusted adult should listen to you and take you seriously. If the first person you tell does not believe you or does not help, tell someone else. You can keep reaching out until someone listens. You can also contact a support service if you do not feel safe talking to someone you know.
What if I think it’s my fault?
It is never your fault if someone has hurt you, pressured you, or made you feel unsafe. Even if you did not say “no,” or if you said “yes” to something you did not understand, you are not to blame.
If an adult or older person pressured you, tricked you, or made you feel like you had to say yes, that is their fault, not yours.
You deserve to be safe, listened to, and supported. You can talk to a trusted adult or a support service at any time.
What if I care about the person who hurt me?
It is normal to feel confused if the person who hurt you is someone you know or care about. But it is not your job to protect someone who is making you unsafe. There are adults whose job is to help in these situations.
You can talk to a trusted adult or a support service at any time.
What if I’m scared I’ll get in trouble?
You will not be in trouble for telling the truth about something that happened to you. Children and young people have the right to speak up at any time, even if it happened a long time ago.
What if I'm confused?
It is completely normal to feel confused. Sometimes things do not feel right, but you are not sure why. You do not need to have all the answers before you talk to someone. A trusted adult or support service can help you make sense of what is going on.
What if I'm embarrassed?
Feeling embarrassed is very common. But you have nothing to be ashamed of. If someone has made you feel uncomfortable or unsafe, that is their fault, not yours. You deserve to talk to someone who will listen and support you.