Information for children and young people worried about possible child abuse - Child Protection Committee

It is everyone's responsibility to protect children and young people
All adults have a responsibility to protect children, including:

• Your parents and carers
• Family members
• Friends
• Neighbours
• Professionals (e.g. teachers, doctors, nurses, social workers and police officers)
• Members of the public

What is child abuse?
Child abuse is when a child or young person is being hurt or harmed or isn't being looked after properly by a parent or carer or someone who is within their family, including their wider, extended family.

What should I be worried about?
You or someone you know might be worried, frightened or scared and not know what to do to help you or them feel safe. This could be for a number of reasons including:

• Being hit, kicked or punched
• Not being properly fed or looked after
• Being criticised, ignored or humiliated
• Being asked to do something that makes you feel uncomfortable
• Being frightened when left alone without an adult to look after you
• Being sexually abused
  ( this can include inappropriate sexual behaviour, language or assault )

Sometimes parents, carers or other adults need help and support in dealing with children and you sharing your information might help them to get it.

What should I do?
You should talk to someone - for example an adult whom you trust and you know will try to help you. This will depend on the adult who is causing you concern.

You can talk to:

• Your parent or carer
• A relative
• Teacher, youth leader
• Neighbour
• Friend
• A professional such as the children's rights officer, school nurse, a social worker or the police.

You may find this difficult for a number of reasons, including feeling embarrassed or worried about what might happen. Although it might be difficult, it is important that you do talk to someone who will listen to you and contact the right people to help you or the person you are worried about to be safe and protected.

What happens next?

• If the person you speak to does not take you seriously, speak to someone else.
• Whoever you speak to should give you the opportunity to think through what is happening and decide how best to deal with the situation.
• Your privacy should be respected but sometimes the person you talk to will have to share with other people your concerns because they have more experience of what help is needed, for example social work staff.
• Time may be needed to involve the necessary people and to decide on the most appropriate action.
• You will be appropriately involved in decisions and helped to understand what happens next.

Once all the information has been gathered one or more of the following might happen:

• No further action
• Support or advice offered to the family for whom there are concerns
• Referral to another agency for a service
• Referral to an appropriate legal agency such as the Children's Reporter
• What might happen if I don't talk about my concerns?

If you don't discuss your concerns then nobody will know what is happening and you or the child or young person you are concerned about. This may mean you/they may not get the help and support needed.

List of useful local contact numbers

If you are concerned about child abuse, you can talk to staff at one of the social work numbers listed at the top right hand side of your screen or one of the follwoing numbers;

• Police
  Police (All Areas Across North Lanarkshire)
  The Family Protection Unit
  01698 483095 \ 96
• Emergency & Out of Hours
  West of Scotland Social Work
  Stand-by Service
  0800 811 505
• Childline
  0800 1111

This leaflet has been prepared by North Lanarkshire Child Protection Committee. The Child Protection Committee is made up of representation from across the main statutory organisations in your area. The purpose of the Child Protection Committee is to ensure local agencies work together to protect children.