Talking about abuse

Being abused/raped/assaulted can be really scary at any age but when you are a child, especially a very young child you might not understand what has happened and it can be really confusing.

Sometimes when the person who has/is abusing you is someone you care about/love it can make it even harder to understand and talk about.

It’s my fault ...

Many children/young people feel like it is there fault that they were/are being abused.

It is never, ever, your fault that you are being abused or hurt. All children and young people have the right to live a life free from abuse and being hurt. If someone has told you that it is your fault, they are telling you this because they know what happened should not have happened, and they don’t want you to talk about it.

 

No-one will believe me …

Talking about abuse can be really hard. Sometimes you will have tried to tell someone but they haven’t understood or listened to you. Sometimes you tried to tell someone, and they didn’t believe you. Keep trying, someone will believe you and support you. Speak to an adult you trust such as a family member, carer, teacher, doctors, nurse. You can also call us on the RASAC Helpline or the National Rape Crisis Helpline (number below) and speak to us. We will listen to you, we will believe you and we will support you.

 

It was really difficult telling someone the first time. I was so worried that no one would believe me and that it was all my fault it happened. But when I told, I was believed and I stopped being hurt.

 

Who you can call …

 

• If you are in danger call the Police on 999.
• RASAC P&K Helpline – 01738 630965
• Rape Crisis Scotland Helpline – 6pm-Midnight, 08088 01 03 02
• ChildLine – 0800 1111
• Child Protection Duty Team - 01738 476768