You being hurt

Are you being hurt by one of your parents or someone else?

If one of your parents, or someone else you know has ever:

Deliberately hurt you by choking, punching, slapping, kicking or pushing
Tried to hurt you or threatened you in other ways
Made you feel scared or frightened
Touched you in any way that made you feel bad
Pressured you into doing sexual things
Put you down, called you names or made you feel stupid
Stopped giving you the attention or affection you need
Not given you food, clothes or medical help if needed
Prevented you from going to school or seeing your friends
Hurt or not taken care of your pets

Then it is NOT OK. Two of the rights you have as a child is to be cared for and to feel safe.


	If any of these things are happening now or have happened to you in the past it is wrong. It is NEVER YOUR FAULT when this happens!


		Remember: Two of the rights you have as a child is: to be cared for and to feel safe.

Maybe the person who is doing these things to you said you have to keep those things to yourself and said that what is happening is a secret between you and them. This is not true because what is happening to you is WRONG and you should tell someone about it.

It is important to tell someone you trust so that they can help stop you from getting hurt. It is a tricky decision to tell someone and there are many reasons that might stop you from telling.

Here are some of the things that stopped other children from telling:

I felt too embarrassed to tell anyone what was happening.

I didn't tell because I was too afraid of what would happen.

I didn't want anyone else to know about my family secrets.

I thought my parents would blame me for what happened.

I didn't want to separate my parents' marriage or the whole family.

I worried about making It worse by telling.

I didn't want to get my parents into trouble.

If you have a friend who is being hurt

If someone you know tells you that he or she is being hurt it is important that you believe them. Offer them support and let them know that what is happening to them is NOT OK. Tell them that it is NOT their fault! Let them know how important it is to speak to a trusted adult. You can also offer to go with them. Help your friend to continue to tell people until they feel safe.


	Everyone has the right to feel safe all of the time!