How to tell someone

If you do decide to tell someone about the violence that is happening at home, that's great! Remember kids should not be hurt or made to feel unsafe by anybody! That is why it is important to tell people you trust so they can help you feeling safe again.

There are many different ways to tell someone about what is happening. It is up to you how you tell someone.

You can:

Who have other children talked to?

I told my best friend at Netball practice.

I spoke to The counsellor at my school, she was really helpful.

I trust my older sister, so I told her about it.

I first told a neighbour whom I have known since I was two.

I called the Kid's Helpline (1800 55 1800).

My music teacher asked me if I was ok. That's when I told her what was happening to me.

Talk about it face to face
Call someone over the telephone
Send the person an email
Write them a letter or
Draw them a picture

Who can you tell?

There are people you can tell who can help to make you feel safe. When choosing someone it is important that you feel safe when you are with this person. It is also important that you can trust this person and feel comfortable talking to them.

When you talk to a professional adult, it may be your teacher, doctor, or a counsellor, everything you say will be confidential, which means they CANNOT tell anyone what you have said without your permission. The only time they CAN tell someone, is if they think you or someone else could be in danger.


	If you tell someone and they don't listen, or are not helpful, then tell someone else until the problem has been sorted out and you feel safe.

This is how other children felt when they told someone:

After I had told, I didn't feel lonely anymore.

I found out that other kids have gone through the same things.

I felt a lot safer than I did before I told someone.

I felt scared but things got better.

I felt better that there were people who could help me and my family.

I was relieved that I didn't have to keep it a secret anymore.

What is happening to you will probably feel really awful. It is important to try to talk about it so you get help to stop being hurt and start feeling safe again.


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