What is Safeguarding?
Every child & young person has a right to be safe. Safeguarding means keeping you safe from any type of harm or neglect.
If you are worried about something that is happening to you or someone you know, you don’t have to deal with it on your own. All over the country, there are many people and organisations that want to help you feel safe, healthy, and happy. You find information about some of the groups in County Durham on the County Durham Family Information Service website.
If you’re worried about a friend but don’t know if you should talk to them about it, there is some great advice on how to start the conversation on the Think U Know website
The Durham Children in Care Council website have information and links to loads of websites, all chosen by young people, about a wide range of things that you could be worried about – click here to visit Children in Care Council Helpful Links and Resources page.
All adults have a responsibility to protect you and it is the role of your parents or carers and adults such as teachers, learning mentors, doctors, nurses, social workers, police officers, faith leaders, and sports coaches to ensure that you are safe. Wherever you are and whatever you are doing, whether you are at home, school, or chatting online, you have the right to grow up safe from people hurting you or not making sure that you are cared for.
What is Abuse?
According to the law, there are 4 main types of abuse that could cause harm or neglect. These are:
- Physical Abuse: when an adult deliberately hurts a child, such as hitting, shaking, throwing, poisoning, burning, drowning, or suffocating.
- Emotional Abuse: this would happen, for example, when a child is being unfairly blamed for everything all the time; or told they are stupid and made to feel unhappy.
- Sexual Abuse: an example of sexual abuse would be when a child is forced to take part in sexual activities; or in taking rude photos.
- Neglect: this is when a child is not being looked after properly; for example, not getting enough to eat, or being left alone in dangerous situations.
More information about what abuse can look like and how to keep safe can be found at the NSPCC website.
A great guide written by young people who have experienced abuse or neglect can be found on the SCIE website.
Report it
If you are under 18, report online sexual abuse to one of our Child Protection Advisors at the CEOP Safety Centre. Report now
If you’re over 18, call 101 to speak to your local police.