I’m under 18
If you're worried, unsure or not feeling safe, there are places you can go for help.
Maybe an adult is treating you in a way that is obviously wrong – they might have touched you, said something sexual to you, or sent you something that makes you feel uncomfortable.
Perhaps you’ve sent something to someone you didn’t realise was an adult and they’re using it against you.
Sometimes adults will pretend to be someone they’re not to get you to do sexual things.
Some might be ‘nice’ to you but it will still make you feel weird or uncomfortable.
If you are experiencing image-based abuse or “revenge porn” the eSafety Commissioner can help.
“Revenge porn” can involve someone sharing intimate or nude images or videos of you. It is against the law.
The eSafety Commissioner can help if:
• you want to remove images or videos
• you are being pressured to send nudes
• you are receiving unwanted nudes
• someone is threatening to share your nudes
What is child sexual abuse?
Grooming
There are adults who will do things to get you to like them and trust them so that they can be alone with you, make you believe you share a ‘special connection’, or get you to send them something showing your private parts.
This is called ‘grooming’ and adults are wrong if they try to do this to you.
Or, you may see an adult trying to do this to one of your friends.
You can...
talk to an adult you trust:
- someone in your family
- a parent or carer
- a family friend
- your teacher
- a doctor
- a sports coach
- a counsellor.
An adult you can trust will put you first, listen to you and believe you – even if they haven’t seen anything that might worry them.
They will want to help and will be able to share with you what they are doing to help.
They will work with you, not just tell you what to do.
You can also:
- Contact support services.
- Contact the Strong Families Safe Kids Advice and Referral Line on 1800 000 123.
- Contact the police on 131 444.
If you talk to someone and they can’t help you or be trusted, keep trying to find someone and get their help instead. Don’t give up until you find an adult you can trust.
If you can’t find anyone you can trust, call Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800.
It is never OK
Always remember: It is never OK for an adult to engage in sexual activity with a child or young person. It’s called child sexual abuse and it’s against the law. You have the right to say no to things you don’t like or think are wrong, even if someone tells you that you can’t. A good rule to follow is that if it does not feel right, you should tell someone you trust.
The same applies to things that children around your own age (or older than you) might do. Sometimes children and young people do sexual things to other children that is harmful. They might talk sexually to you, touch or grope you, or send you sexual photos and videos.
This is also never OK.
Sexual abuse is not part of a normal relationship, it is not a sign of love, and it is never a child’s or young person’s fault.
It’s important to tell someone.
For urgent help
Where there is immediate risk of harm or a crime is happening now, call police on 000.
If you have been sexually abused, feel scared or unsafe, or something has happened and you want help from the police, you can call 131 444 or visit your local police station, or contact Crime Stoppers anonymously on 1800 333 000.
You may be scared you will get into trouble if you tell. But all children have the right to tell their story at any time – for example, when something is happening, straight after it has happened, or days, weeks or even years later.
You might care for or love the person who has done something to you. If it’s someone you know, like a family member, it can be confusing because you might be worried about them getting into trouble. But it is not a child’s job to protect someone who is hurting them or making them feel unsafe. There are adults whose job it is to help in these situations. It is important that you speak up when you can, and help to keep yourself and other kids safe.
You might feel embarrassed. But you should never feel embarrassed or shame about something that wasn’t your fault. Even though it might be hard, you have the right to tell the truth and to be listened to. There are safe adults who will work with you to tell your story and get you the help you need.
You might feel you are to blame, especially if you didn’t clearly say “no” or if you said “yes” to something you didn’t understand or have changed your mind about. It is common to freeze when you feel scared. Sometimes children agree with adults even if they don’t want to. But safe adults never ask you to do something unsafe. Children are never to blame, and what has happened is not your fault. Children have the right to tell the truth and to get help.
Sexual abuse can cause a range of physical or emotional changes. These could include pain or injury to private parts, nightmares, weight loss and headaches. Or you might start feeling down, worried, angry, or scared of certain people or places. You may feel upset about what has happened to you and how you are feeling. But there are people who will help you feel better and keep safe.
You might sometimes feel you won’t be listened to or no one will believe you. But there are people who will listen to you and help you. Children have the right to be heard. If you tell someone and they don’t believe you, it is important that you find another safe person to talk to.
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You may be scared you will get into trouble if you tell. But all children have the right to tell their story at any time – for example, when something is happening, straight after it has happened, or days, weeks or even years later.
You might care for or love the person who has done something to you. If it’s someone you know, like a family member, it can be confusing because you might be worried about them getting into trouble. But it is not a child’s job to protect someone who is hurting them or making them feel unsafe. There are adults whose job it is to help in these situations. It is important that you speak up when you can, and help to keep yourself and other kids safe.
You might be embarrassed about what has happened to you. It might be very upsetting and it might have happened to other children. You can talk to someone trustworthy and they will be able to support you to get help.
You might feel you are to blame, especially if you didn’t clearly say “no” or if you said “yes” to something you didn’t understand or have changed your mind about. It is common to freeze when you feel scared. Sometimes children agree with adults even if they don’t want to. But safe adults never ask you to do something unsafe. Children are never to blame, and what has happened is not your fault. Children have the right to tell the truth and to get help.
Sexual abuse can cause a range of physical or emotional changes. These could include pain or injury to private parts, nightmares, weight loss and headaches. Or you might start feeling down, worried, angry, or scared of certain people or places. You may feel upset about what has happened to you and how you are feeling. But there are people who will help you feel better and keep safe.
You might sometimes feel you won’t be listened to or no one will believe you. But there are people who will listen to you and help you. Children have the right to be heard. If you tell someone and they don’t believe you, it is important that you find another safe person to talk to.
How can I keep myself and my friends safe?
You can choose to tell the police things like:
- What happened
- When it happened
- Where it happened
- Who was involved
- How it made you feel
The police officer will help guide you by asking clear questions. Remember, they want to help.
There is no time limit on getting help from the police and they will always want to hear about what has happened to you.
You can tell them about things that are happening to you or your friends right now or things that happened a long time ago.
Remember, sexual abuse includes storing and sharing sexual content of people under the age of 18.
Visit the eSafety Commissioner websiteto find out how to get images removed the internet or to get more
advice about online child sexual abuse material.
Find out other places you can call for help→
What is child sexual abuse?→