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https://www.childline.org.uk/info-advice/bullying-abuse-safety/online-mobile-safety/report-remove/

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Content warning: This section includes graphic sexual descriptions.

A nude image must include one of the following to be removed:

nude or semi-nude sexual posing

someone nude or semi-nude touching themselves in a sexual way

any sexual activity involving a child

someone hurting someone else sexually

sexual activity that includes animals.

Where possible, it is better if you can upload the original image or video, or a copy of it, rather than a photograph of it on another screen. This helps IWF find the image more accurately.

If you want to report something that isn't a nude image or video to see if it can be taken down, you can see more information from Childline about deleting things shared online here. You can make a report to CEOP, the part of the police who are there to support children and young people online. You can always speak to a Childline counsellor.

Confirming your age with ID gives us more legal powers to remove images from as many places as possible. If you don't have ID or feel comfortable using it, we can still take down images, but from fewer places.

You can use the following ID to confirm your identity using Yoti:

passport or biometric residence permit

driving licence and provisional licence

Young Scot Card (Yoti app only)

CitizenCard (Yoti app only).

If you don't have any of these, you can get a young person's ID card. You'll be able to get this for £5 with the promo code NSPCC5. Make sure you choose 'Yoti CitizenCard' on the first page.

Whatever ID you use, please make sure that it is valid and in-date.

IWF will read all reports within one working day, from Monday to Friday. The time it takes to get your image removed from the internet can be different depending on where the image is hosted.

If the image is on a UK-based website it can often be removed within 2-3 hours. Unfortunately, in some countries it can take longer - sometimes days or weeks. But IWF analysts will always try to make sure it happens as soon as possible.

We'll do our best to let you know once your image has been removed by sending a message to your  Childline locker.

We recommend you check your locker every few days after you make a report. This is so you can see if your image has been removed, and so Childline can let you know if IWF need more information to be able to remove it. Remember, IWF can't contact you directly.

If you need support to help you cope while you're waiting, you can also speak to a Childline counsellor any time.

When you use Report Remove, your image or video is shared with the Internet Watch Foundation (IWF). They'll work to get your image removed from the internet. See 'Who are the IWF?' to learn about how that happens.

Most of the time, nobody will know that you've made a report and your report won't be shared with anyone else.

If the police already have the image or video you report, then they might investigate what's happened. Only the police can decide if they'll need to tell someone else.

The police might already have your image or video if:

someone has reported it on another website and that website passed it to the police

they're investigating someone who had or has the image or video already (if someone is found to have your image and is breaking the law - regardless of how, it may be included as evidence in a criminal case against that person

someone else reported the image to them directly.

Remember that the police are there to protect you, not to get you into trouble. If the image has been reported somewhere else and you're worried, you can always  speak to a Childline counsellor.

If you have parental controls on your phone your parent or carer might see when you want to download a new app, so they might get a notification if you try to download Yoti and want to know why. To avoid this, use the second option to prove your age (called 'ID verification').

The IWF can remove images that are public or available to anyone on the internet. However, they won't be able to remove images or videos on encrypted networks like WhatsApp, or which are saved on a person's phone or computer.

If you're over 13 and you've made a report without using ID, then there may be some sites the IWF can't take images down from.

If you don't use ID the IWF can help by removing your image or video from most sites. If you do use ID, the IWF can remove from all sites

The Internet Watch Foundation (IWF), a UK charity, are there to help remove illegal nude images of under 18s posted online.

Once the IWF has confirmed your nude image is against the law and can be removed from the internet they give it a digital fingerprint called a 'hash'. The hash can be used to find your image online even if it has been cropped or slightly changed.

Sharing just the hash with certain trusted companies and organisations, means that technology can be used to find online matches of the image - this is key to trying to stop it appearing in different places on the internet. Even though the hashes and images are shared with UK police, this is so that if they came across the image some other way, they'd know that you also reported it yourself. Report Remove was developed with the full support of the police and no one involved wants to get you into trouble for sharing the image so it can be removed.

Different companies use the hash in different ways. For example, if an illegal image match is found to have been shared by an online account holder, a company may decide to close that person's account as posting illegal images will be against the company's terms and conditions. If your image(s) are found on or are linked to your online user account(s) it may be possible for the company to associate your profile with the images.

The companies that take the hashes trust the Report Remove process, however if they have significant concerns that the person in the image may not be the person who was age verified, they may get in touch with the IWF to raise their concerns.

There are 3 organisations that help you report your image using Report Remove. These are Childline, the Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) and also Yoti if you are 13 or older and choose to prove your age using ID. All of them have a responsibility to keep all of your personal information safe.

1. We'll ask you to choose your age range (under 13, 13-15, 16-17, 18 and over). If you're under 13, you'll go straight to step 3. If you're aged 13 or older, us at Childline will ask you if you have access to ID to prove your age. If you do, you'll be asked to visit Yoti. The only information we will share with Yoti is that you are wanting to prove your age to use Report Remove.

2. Once you prove your age using Yoti, you will come back to Report Remove on Childline. The only information Yoti will share with Childline is confirmation that you're younger or older than 18.

3. We'll then ask you to create or sign in to a Childline account. Then you'll go to the IWF website to share the content you want removed. Childline will only share the information below with IWF:

that you're younger than 18 (either confirmed by Yoti, or that you told us you are younger than 18),

the age range you selected at the start,

a unique number that is created when you use Report Remove.

4. After your report has been passed to the IWF, they will tell Childline if they were able to work to take the images or video down from the internet, and why. This is so Childline can let you know what happened. IWF may also tell Childline some information about what you reported, to help them know how best to support you and keep you safe. IWF will never share an image or video that you report with Childline.

Information you give to Childline
Any information you give Childline will always be treated carefully and in line with our  Privacy Policy. This means that any information you give us as part of Report Remove will only be used to help the IWF review your report and to keep you safe. This will include the age range that you select and a unique number that's created when you go onto the IWF website. We will not share any of your information with Yoti.
Information you give to IWF
The only information you will give to the IWF are the images, videos or URLs you report. There is space to add information such as where the image or video is on a webpage.

They will process this in line with their privacy policy.

Nude images and videos that IWF decide are illegal may be kept by the IWF for up to 2 years. This is because there is an agreement with the Police and CPS (Crime Prosecution Service), called a 'Memorandum of Understanding' (MOU). Illegal images are given a hash (a string of numbers that are like a digital fingerprint). The hash is shared with organisations such as technology companies who host online content, so that they can look for the image and take it down. The actual image is not shared with these companies. The image and the hash are shared with the police who store it on their Child Abuse Image Database. Any images or videos that they decide are not illegal may be kept for a maximum of 6 months for quality checking and any follow up questions. They will then be deleted. Sometimes, even if it's decided that the content isn't illegal, IWF can share the content URL with some industry members to see if they can take the content down.

If you report a URL (link to a webpage), and choose not to prove your age using ID, IWF will still check to see if the content is something they can take action on. If so IWF may share the URL with South West Grid for Learning (SWGfL), who are a charity who help people who have had intimate images of them shared online. SWGfL will never view the content on a URL that is shared with them. SWGfL send a notice to internet companies that host the webpage you reported, to tell them to take it down. This is because IWF can only send a notice to companies to take a specific webpage down when it is confirmed it is of a child. SWGfL can also send notice to take down content, but they do not need to prove it is of a child. This helps get your images or videos from even more places.

Childline will never see what pictures, videos or URLs you share with the IWF. The only information the IWF shares with Childline apart from your case number is whether or not they could take down your images or videos, and why, so we can let you know, as well as information about the image or video that you reported that will help Childline to support you and keep you safe.

Information you give to Yoti
You can choose to use Yoti to confirm your age if you're over 13. This may involve taking a selfie, so Yoti know it is you who are proving your age, and uploading a picture of some ID. Any personal data you send Yoti - like your photo, date of birth or address - is scrambled with a high level of encryption so that even if it was stolen, no one could use it to identify you. The only information Yoti shares with Childline is confirmation that you're under or over 18.

You can see Yoti's privacy policy here, and more information about their age portal here, which is what is used in Report Remove to prove your age.

If you're using the Yoti app, Yoti may use the selfie, month and year of birth you add to the Yoti app to improve its age estimation technology. You can opt out from this in the More> My Data> Biometric consent menu of the app.

There are lots of ways to get help with your report:

if you're having problems with Yoti, you can contact them directly in the app.

if you need any support with making your report send a message to Childline with the title 'Report Remove'.

Childline counsellors are always here for you and want to help. And you can  talk to them  about anything you're going through.
I have a technical issue, what should I do?

Try using your default browser and close private browsing if you're using the Yoti app.

See if you can log in to your locker and send an email to Childline explaining your problem and the team will be able to help.

Make sure the ID you're using is valid and in-date (not expired).

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Use Report Remove to remove a nude image shared online

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How do I make a referral to Careline? Information for professionals

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CarelineHub will only accept written referrals from professionals submitted via the on-line Multi-Agency Referral Form (MARF) or a completed Early Help Assessment Tool (EHAT).

The only exception to this arrangement is Section 47 Child Protection referrals, where there is reasonable cause to suspect a child is suffering or is likely to suffer significant harm. In such instances, professionals should continue to make an immediate telephone referral to Careline 0151 233 3700, followed by an online MARF.

Professionals making Section 47 Child Protection Referrals are required to complete an online MARF within one working day of making a telephone referral to Careline.

In all other cases, before submitting a request for single assessment by Children's Social Care, it is important that professionals consider whether a child's and their family's needs can be more appropriately supported through Early Help.

Before submitting a MARF It is important all professionals carefully consider the LSCP Responding to Need Framework and Guidance.
Levels of Need Windscreen Levels of Need Indicators
Professionals who submit a MARF and have not appropriately applied the Levels of Need Framework will be expected to initiate an Early Help Assessment. Please check with you local Early Help Hub if one already exists. If an Early Help Assessment is not initiated within 10 working days, a member of the Early Help Hub will contact the professional to support them in progressing this.

Further guidance about EHAT can be found on Liverpool City Council Website and by contacting your local Early Help Hub - links below.
Early Help Assessment Multi-Agency Referral Form (MARF)
Practitioner Guidance on Completing the MARF

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Liverpool Safeguarding Children Partnership (LSCP) -

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CarelineHub will only accept written referrals from professionals submitted via the on-line Multi-Agency Referral Form (MARF) or a completed Early Help Assessment Tool (EHAT). The only exception to this arrangement is Section 47 Child Protection referrals, where there is reasonable cause to suspect a child is suffering or is likely to suffer significant harm.

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If you are aged 13-19 and you care for someone else there find out more about people who can support you.

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It's hard for me to write this letter, as there are many things I want to say, to the me that I was back then. I get that you just wanted to belong, I really do. I know how tough it was to feel like an outsider, not to feel like you fitted in anywhere. You felt like life was going nowhere, no one wanted to know a kid with bad grades and a record of bad behaviour. It seems no one really believed in you or saw your potential. Then someone made you feel heard. A friend who felt just the same as you, who really 'got' you. He talked about the reasons things were going wrong, for you, for him, other friends, family. It seemed to make sense. He talked about immigrants, injustice and race. And you listened without questioning. I wish you hadn't. Instead, you started to speak just like him and I wish you hadn't. You met more new friends online who shared the same views as you. And worse. They lied to you John. They made you feel welcome. You didn't realise they were just using you. The dangers of extremism wasn't something you understood, you only began to realise a while later. You felt part of something for the first time in a long time and it felt good. It felt good to be with them, to take part in extremist rallies, to share a voice. It made you feel powerful and gave you a sense of purpose, when before you had nothing and felt you were going nowhere. Your old friends and family didn't understand, they didn't 'get' you. I wish you had pressed pause and looked around to see the hurt and upset you were causing then. Now it's clear how angry you were, and scared. Too scared to choose another path, despite some of the opinions and content not sitting well with you. I wish you had seen how you were beginning not to belong, with those who really did care about you. Who wanted you to lead your best life, not your worst. Back then, you didn't know that you could choose your own path, that you didn't need to follow people you thought had your best interests at heart, but who really were using you for their own agenda. I wish you had realised then, that they didn't speak for you. They don't speak for anyone who wants a better world. You got so far in, you didn't know how to get back out. It was scary I know, to turn your back on those preaching hate, those who are just looking to others to blame for things that go wrong in life. But you did it John. I'm proud of you. I'm proud of you for taking up the offer of support and the chance to turn your life around. And it was hard. So hard to have your views challenged, to hear some of the facts you had been told by your new 'friends' weren't even true. So hard to no longer belong to a group of people you felt had welcomed you in, online and off. It took time, but you did it and look how far you've come. Now you are supporting other people who want to escape extremism. And you get them, you know the struggle they are going through. You never thought you could change people's lives for the better, but with support you did it and I am proud of the you, that I have now become.

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Act early and tell us your concerns in confidence.

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Beacon Counselling Trust in Clubmoor has just launched a number of free clinics in Liverpool city centre aimed at helping those suffering with gambling addiction. Gambling is a serious problem on Merseyside, with around 12,000 people in the problem gambler category and another 60,000 in the at-risk category.

Director of the Beacon Counselling Trust, Neil Platt said that treatment is provided for the addiction as well as the underlying cause of the addiction. The importance of doing this is so that addicts will receive a more effective recovery plan. He said, "We recognise that when dealing with gambling addiction, for a more positive and enduring outcome, we must look at the problem holistically."

Support from Betting Industry

Many of the big names in the betting industry, including Ladbrokes, Paddy Power, William Hill, Coral, and Betfred, are offering their support to the free clinics. A spokesperson from the Association of British Bookmakers said that the project was exciting as it gave them a chance to reach to customers and to help those who were experiencing problems with gambling. She also said that there are many people who do not actually realise that there is help and counselling support in their area, and that this new project will help to get that message across.

Drop-In Clinics

Those who need help for gambling problems will be able to access the free drop-in clinics from 12pm to 4pm from Monday to Saturday at the Liverpool Quaker Meeting House. The drop-in clinics will run seven days a week at the same times at the headquarters of the Beacon Counselling Trust in Townsend Lane.

Increase in Gambling Addiction

Gambling is becoming a serious problem in areas all over the UK, not just Merseyside. Campaigners are calling for a change in the limit of stakes in fixed odds betting terminals. Many believe that these machines, found in betting shops across the country, are contributing to the current increase in problem gamblers.

Gamblers can spend thousands of pounds in a very short space of time on these machines as they can bet up to £100 per spin. They are easily accessible in betting shops and those with compulsive gambling tendencies can lose large sums of money playing them.

The Effect of Gambling on the Family

Gambling addiction is a serious illness that not only affects the person with the addiction, but also their families. Gambling can lead to serious financial problems and is an expensive habit. Those with a compulsion to gamble may find that they simply cannot stop, even when they run out of available funds. They will often begin to borrow to fund their habit and will even spend the money they need to pay for rent or bills. This can then lead to large debts and, in some cases, people will find themselves homeless.

Families living with gambling addicts may find that their affected loved ones become secretive and even aggressive when they are not winning. Gamblers will often try to chase their losses and will be convinced that they are about to win big. This is when they tend to lose large amounts of money. Moreover, if they do win, they may plough their winnings back in because they are convinced that they are going to win again. Gambling addicts cannot walk away even when they are losing big money.

Help for Addiction

Gambling addiction is an illness that needs to be treated; at Addiction Helper, we have a team of expert therapists and counsellors who can provide the help and support required. We have access to a large network of rehabilitation centres all over the country and can put you in touch with a suitable one.

Source: The Liverpool Echo

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Drop-In Clinics in Merseyside to Help Gambling Addicts

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Beacon Counselling Trust in Clubmoor has just launched a number of free clinics in Liverpool city centre aimed at helping those suffering with gambling addiction. Gambling is a serious problem on Merseyside, with around 12,000 people in the problem gambler category and another 60,000 in the at-risk category.

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Worried about somone's drug or alcohol use?

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Worried about somone's drug or alcohol use?

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If you live in Liverpool and have a problem with using opiates you can be referred to our community drug team at Brook Place. You can ask your GP or other health professional to refer you or you can refer yourself by attending the team Monday to Friday or contacting:

Orphan Drive, Tuebrook, Liverpool, L6 7UN

Phone: 0151 330 8260

Brook Place offers a recovery focused service including:

· Assessment, advice and information

· Recovery focused approach to care planning and delivery

· Psychosocial interventions

· Peer mentors and support

· Substitute prescribing

· Community detoxification programmes and referral for inpatient treatment

· Support and signposting to partnership agencies.

Liverpool Community Alcohol Services (LCAS)

LCAS offers a non-medical, psychosocial intervention for those who experience problem drinking. We can also support with referrals to inpatient detoxification or signpost to community services.

If you need support for alcohol use you can contact LCAS on 0151 471 7784.
Meet our LCAS team by watching the short video below:
Mersey Care runs the Hope Centre, offering detoxification programmes for those who are unable to detoxify within the community or who have been unsuccessful trying to do so. You cannot self-refer however our teams at LCAS or Brook Place can refer you.

Smithdown Health Park, Smithdown Road, Liverpool, L15 2HE

Phone: 0151 330 8074

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Drug and Alcohol Service :: Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust

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If you live in Liverpool and have a problem with using opiates you can be referred to our community drug team at Brook Place.

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The problems that talking therapies services can treat include:

depression

generalized anxiety

social anxiety

panic and agoraphobia

other phobias

obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)

post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)

body dysmorphic disorder

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Find an NHS talking therapies services - NHS

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The problems that talking therapies services can treat include: depression generalized anxiety social anxiety panic and agoraphobia other phobias obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) body dysmorphic disorder

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Get help to work out how much money you owe and which debts you should pay back first.

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Support for school staff - managing anxiety

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Support for school staff - managing anxiety

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Guides, articles and videos on anxiety for teachers and education staff

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Mental health and wellbeing guides, articles and videos providing advice on anxiety for teachers and education staff working in the UK

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Support for school staff - coping with bereavement

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Support for school staff - coping with bereavement

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Resources for organisations

Working in education is demanding. Our resources help you check how your teams are coping, and boost everyone's wellbeing.

Explore resources

Teacher Wellbeing Index 2021

Our annual Teacher Wellbeing Index provides an insight into the mental health and wellbeing of teachers and education staff working in the UK.

Teacher Wellbeing Index

A site for school leaders looking to improve mental health and wellbeing in their workplace.

Explore the website

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Guides, articles and videos on grief for teachers and education staff

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Resources for organisations Working in education is demanding. Our resources help you check how your teams are coping, and boost everyone's wellbeing. Explore resources Teacher Wellbeing Index 2021 Our annual Teacher Wellbeing Index provides an insight into the mental health and wellbeing of teachers and education staff working in the UK.

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We are the only UK charity dedicated to supporting the mental health and wellbeing of education staff in schools, colleges and universities. No matter what you're feeling, our free, confidential helpline is always here 24/7. Night or day, our trained counsellors are here to listen to you without judgement and help you find a way forward, whatever your worries or concerns and feel better.

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LSCP - Resources and Leaflets

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LADO Referral Form Referral Form

LADO Process in detail The LADO process in detail

Haringey Model LADO Threshold Tool

Information for Employees LADO Information for Employees

Information for Employers LADO Information for Employers

Information for Parents/Carers Parents and Carers

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Liverpool Safeguarding Children Partnership (LSCP) -

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LADO Referral Form Referral Form LADO Process in detail The LADO process in detail Haringey Model LADO Threshold Tool Information for Employees LADO Information for Employees Information for Employers LADO Information for Employers Information for Parents/Carers Parents and Carers

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Raising safeguarding concerns regarding professionals and volunteers who work with children and young people

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Tell us anonymously ...

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Post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, is a mental health disorder that may develop after exposure to exceptionally threatening, frightening events or traumas.

What is a trauma?

Traumas are events that involve actual or threatened death, serious injury or sexual violence. For example, being assaulted, witnessing domestic violence, or being involved in a natural disaster such as a fire. Young people can experience a trauma because it happens to them, they see it happen to others, or they hear about it.

How common is it to experience a trauma before adulthood?

Exposure to traumatic events is very common among young people. By the end of adolescence, around 75% of young people will have been exposed to a traumatic event.

How do children and young people react to traumatic events?

Immediately after a traumatic event all children are likely to be distressed, tearful, frightened and in shock. Most young people will recover well with family support.

The range of emotional reactions that young people can develop is very broad, but commonly includes:

Upsetting memories of the traumatic event - These are usually vivid images. Sometimes young people hear, feel or smell things that happened during the event. The upsetting memories are difficult to control and seem to pop into the mind at any time. They often have a 'here and now' quality and it can almost feel as if the event is happening again such as a car crash, the smell of fire or being trapped in a building or the plight of refugees and asylum seekers. When this feeling is very strong, young people often say they have flashbacks.

Changes in thinking and attitudes - Survivors have learned that life is fragile. They may see the world as a dangerous place. Guilt and self-blame is common.

Changes in their body after trauma - Children may feel jumpy and startle easily. Reminders of the trauma can trigger panicky feelings. Sleep is often a problem.

Mood changes - They might become more sad, withdrawn and tearful. Irritability is a very common reaction, with children becoming snappy or angry with those around them.

Avoidance of upsetting memories - For example they try to get rid of the images in their mind. This takes up enormous amounts of mental energy. Children may avoid reminders of the trauma. This can mean that children's lives become restricted. Young people often avoid talking about the event. Parents often don't know the extent of children's suffering because children do not tell them. Friends may not ask in case they upset the child further.

Development of PTSD?

Most young people will experience at least some of these reactions after exposure to a traumatic event. The majority will get better without any intervention. But if the reactions persist (lasting for more than a month) and affect day-to-day life, then young people may have developed a diagnosable PTSD. About one in seven young people develop persistent PTSD.

How does PTSD present in very young children?

Younger children might repeatedly play out the trauma in their games, or they may frequently draw aspects of it. Rather than having nightmares about the trauma, young children may have dreams of monsters instead. They may become very clingy, developing a fear of the dark, not wanting to sleep alone. Preschool children are more difficult to soothe after a trauma; they may be more irritable, distractible, and oppositional.

What are the risk factors for PTSD?

Any young person can develop PTSD after exposure to trauma. It is not a sign of weakness to develop PTSD.

There are some factors which make it more or less likely that a young person will develop PTSD. Factors that can make things worse include: severity of exposure, thinking that you or those around you will die, belief that you cannot cope, or the world is dangerous, avoiding thinking or talking about the trauma. Factors that can help include family support.

What should parents/carers and other adults look out for after a young person has experienced a trauma?

It is hard for parents to know whether children are experiencing intrusive recollections unless children tell their parents. But they may be able to observe changes in sleep patterns and problems with moodiness and irritability.

Unless children are asked directly about specific effects of trauma, PTSD is likely to be missed by adults. It is important to be sensitive to children's upset, and give them time to express themselves. It is equally important that adults ask children directly about how they've been affected, otherwise it is very difficult to provide help for them. Adults should never force children to talk, but they can say that they are available to listen and help, if and when the child would like to talk.

When should parents/carers seek professional help for PTSD?

For young people who show mild stress reactions in the first four weeks after a trauma, watchful waiting is recommended. Many young people will recover in the first month without any professional help.

If young people have severe symptoms in the first month, or if symptoms persist for longer than a month, help should be sought via the family GP.

What treatments are available for PTSD?

Trauma-focused CBT (Cognitive Behaviour Therapy) - This is a psychological treatment that is very effective in treating PTSD. Research shows that around 80% of young people with PTSD will fully recover after a short 12-session course of T-FCBT.

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is also available in some Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS). There is very little research yet to test whether EMDR is helpful for children and young people with PTSD, although it appears promising.

No drug treatments are currently recommended in the UK for PTSD.

Eleanor Leigh, Patrick Smith, Andrea Danese
South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust

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PTSD in Children | Nip in the Bud | Free Downloadable Fact Sheet

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Post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, is a mental health disorder that may develop after exposure to exceptionally threatening, frightening events or traumas. What is a trauma? Traumas are events that involve actual or threatened death, serious injury or sexual violence. For example, being assaulted, witnessing domestic violence, or being involved in a natural disaster such as a fire.

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'Suicide' is a word that most of us avoid, this needs to change in order to break the stigma. Suicide is preventable and we all have a roll to play.

REACHOUT Liverpool aims to guide those that are feeling suicidal to a safe place and arm those that are concerned with the confidence to help someone. Talking about suicide can change and save a life.

Anyone can have suicidal thoughts - REACHOUT now and start a conversation.

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Reach Out Liverpool - Suicide Prevention

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'Suicide' is a word that most of us avoid, this needs to change in order to break the stigma. Suicide is preventable and we all have a roll to play. REACHOUT Liverpool aims to guide those that are feeling suicidal to a safe place and arm those that are concerned with the confidence to help someone.

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Social media guides - UK Safer Internet Centre

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Find out more about the safety features available on popular social networks.

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Guides, articles and videos on anxiety for teachers and education staff

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Mental health and wellbeing guides, articles and videos providing advice on anxiety for teachers and education staff working in the UK

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Just as your body can become unwell, your mind can become unwell too. And just like with physical illnesses, treatment and support is available. Use our guides to find out more about different mental health conditions, how to cope with your feelings and what support is available to you.

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Mental Health Conditions | Signs and Symptoms | YoungMinds

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Use our guides to find out more about different mental health conditions, how to cope with your feelings and what support is available to you.

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Thinking of Suicide?

Are you, or is a young person you know, not coping with life? For confidential suicide prevention advice contact HOPELINEUK. We are open 9am-12am (midnight) every day of the year:

Suicide is the leading cause of young deaths in the UK. We believe that many young suicides can be prevented.

Help give hope to a young person struggling with life

Need help?

Thinking of Suicide?

Are you, or is a young person you know, not coping with life? For confidential suicide prevention advice contact HOPELINEUK. We are open 9am-12am (midnight) every day of the year:

Connect With Us

Keep up to date with news and campaigns from PAPYRUS by following us on social media.

We would love to hear about your fundraising activities so please share your pictures and stories with us.

Our Latest News

Stay up to date with PAPYRUS; our news section is regularly updated with helpful advice and guidance, as well as information about our upcoming events and campaigns. If you have any questions or queries please get in touch.

My whole way of thinking has changed. I feel positive about my future and the people around me. I'm now looking forward to the future and helping others just like me!

Thank you so much for the incredible support PAPYRUS and HOPELINE UK has given me. You helped me in that moment and it kept me alive.

"I intend to continue to fundraise for and promote PAPYRUS. I am so proud & humbled to be involved with a wonderful charity, and to have received the support that I have.

Having been personally bereaved by suicide I understand the importance & need for our charity. I am surrounded by others who are as passionate as I am about saving lives.

* All feedback is provided by users of PAPYRUS & HOPELINE. All feedback has full consent of the user and the user remains fully anonymous. Some feedback may have been adapted to keep the users anonymity.

Our Upcoming Events

Please see below some of our upcoming and exciting events including fundraisers and charity events we will be attending. For more information please get in touch.

Our Funding Partners

Below are our current funding partners. If you wish to donate or become a funding partner, please get in touch for more information.

Members

Below are our current memberships we hold. If you require further details please contact us.

Suggest Feedback

Suggest Feedback

At PAPYRUS we are always looking at ways to improve. Please fill out the form below to suggest your ideas and feedback.

Thinking of Suicide?

Are you, or is a young person you know, not coping with life? For confidential suicide prevention advice contact HOPELINEUK. We are open 9am-12am (midnight) every day of the year:

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Papyrus UK Suicide Prevention | Prevention of Young Suicide

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Are you, or is a young person you know, not coping with life? For confidential suicide prevention advice contact HOPELINEUK. We are open 9am-12am (midnight) every day of the year: Suicide is the leading cause of young deaths in the UK. We believe that many young suicides can be prevented.

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Are you a professional and need advice about online safety?

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Are you a professional and need advice about online safety?

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Enquiries regarding threats to school or staff reputation and good standing as a result of action online. Typically, a school may get in touch with the helpline after discovering a page on a social network that is using the school name and/ or logo but is not owned or controlled by the school. The page will be a cause of concern as it' posting inappropriate and often abusive content, damaging the school's online reputation. The helpline is able to help manage the online content as well as provide additional advice an support to look at the situation holistically.

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Professionals Online Safety Helpline - UK Safer Internet Centre

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Enquiries regarding threats to school or staff reputation and good standing as a result of action online. Typically, a school may get in touch with the helpline after discovering a page on a social network that is using the school name and/ or logo but is not owned or controlled by the school.

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If you are worried about a child or young person

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If you are worried about a child or young person

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In a emergency always phone 999

Contact Child Social Care on  0151 459 2606

Contact the school's safeguarding team on   0151 3305122 or email safeguarding@notredame.sjcmat.co.uk Or Contact Child Social Care Liverpool - click on the link below

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However you feel, we’re here for you. Contact us on the phone or online. Or try getting support from other young people on our message boards or by writing to Sam.

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Who you can speak to

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Are you worried about something you have seen online? You can always speak to a member of the safeguarding team at school

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The Internet is great. But it can be a scary place and you can sometimes end up seeing things, you wish you hadn't.

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If you are a child or young person, parent or carer in crisis, you can call the Alder Hey CAMHS crisis care line 24 hours a day, seven days a week on 0151 293 3577 or freephone 0808 196 3550 Email CrisisCare@alderhey.nhs.uk
In an emergecy always phone 999

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What is mental health?

We all have mental health, just like we all have physical health. Sometimes we feel well, and sometimes we don't.

Mental health is complicated because it's about how we think, feel and act, and this is always changing.

When our mental health is good, we enjoy being around other people and we feel able to take on challenges and new experiences. But when our mental health is not so good, we can find it much harder to cope.

Remember, if you're struggling with how you think, feel or act, you are not alone and things can get better. You deserve all the help and support you need to feel confident and comfortable being yourself so that you can enjoy life.

What is a mental health problem?

We all have good days and bad days, but when negative thoughts and feelings start to affect your daily life and stop you doing the things you enjoy, or your ability to feel ok, this means you probably need some support with your mental health.

For example, nearly everyone gets anxious before an exam, a job interview or a first date. But if we feel anxious all the time, constantly worrying that the worst could happen, and this stops us sleeping well or meeting up with friends, we might benefit from some help.

What causes mental health problems?

There are lots of reasons why we might start struggling with our mental health. These can include:

difficult things going on in your life

life experiences, such as trauma, violence or abuse

physical health problems

pressure at school, work, or about money

difficult relationships with partners, family or friends

family history of mental health problems

Often it isn't just one of these things and sometimes there is no obvious cause. Whatever the reasons you might be struggling it's important to remember that it isn't your fault and that things can get better.

Life affects us all differently. No one is the same. That's why the right mental health support will look different to different people. What works for one person might be not work the same for you, and that's ok.

How do I know when to get help with my mental health?

Most of us will struggle with our mental health at some point in our lives, just like we all get sick once in a while. If you notice a negative change in how you're feeling, or you find yourself doing things that worry you, speak to someone you trust.

Trust your instincts - you know if something is up. Don't wait for things to get really bad before reaching out. The earlier you get help, the more likely it is that you can stop your problem getting worse.

Here are some signs to look out for:

feeling hopeless - struggling to see the positives in life, or wishing you didn't exist

getting into lots of arguments or fights

feeling sad all the time

feeling angry all the time

feeling anxious all the time

numbness - not feeling any emotions at all

extreme highs and lows, or mood swings

feeling worthless

changes to your eating patterns - starving yourself, over-eating, making yourself sick

hearing voices or seeing things that aren't there

hurting yourself on purpose

keeping away from friends and family

relying heavily on alcohol, drugs or sex

obsessive behaviour or thoughts - feeling there is something you have to do/think about all the time or something bad will happen

experiencing nightmares, flashbacks or upsetting thoughts

obsessing about how you look

constant unwanted thoughts

If you recognise any of these signs, or anything else that seems out of the ordinary, or not 'normal' for you, then it is important to reach out for help. This doesn't mean that you necessarily have a mental health problem, but it's likely that some support will help you on your journey to feeling your best.

Find help

The YoungMinds website was created to help you find the support you need.

Sometimes we can make ourselves feel better by making small changes. Our guide to looking after yourself offers some steps you can take to improve your wellbeing.

Our guides to feelings and symptoms and conditions can help you understand more about what you're experiencing and where to go for support.

Getting the support you need is an important part of getting better. Your guide to support will provide you with the information you need to feel confident you're getting the best treatment for you.

If you're a parent or carer looking for support with a child our Parents Helpline is here to help.

Helplines and services available

YoungMinds Crisis Messenger

provides free, 24/7 crisis support across the UK if you are experiencing a mental health crisis - just text YM to 85258

all texts are answered by trained volunteers, with support from experienced clinical supervisors

texts are free from EE, O2, Vodafone, 3, Virgin Mobile, BT Mobile, GiffGaff, Tesco Mobile and Telecom Plus

offers support to anyone under 25 about anything that's troubling them

free phone support available (daily; 4pm - 11pm): 0808 808 4994

free webchat service (daily; 4pm - 11pm; please note: new chats may not be connected after 10:15pm)

free email support via their online form (they aim to respond within 24 hours)

free counselling service also available, either by phone or webchat

if you're under 19 you can confidentially call, chat online or email about any problem big or small

24/7 helpline: 0800 1111

chat 1-2-1 with an online counsellor (daily 9am - midnight; please note: you will not be added to the queue for a 1-2-1 chat after 10:30pm)

sign up on the website, so you can send your message without needing to use your name or email address

Samaritans

if you're in distress and need support, you can ring Samaritans for free at any time of the day or night

freephone (UK and Republic of Ireland): 116 123 (24 hours)

email: [email protected]

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We all have mental health, just like we all have physical health. Sometimes we feel well, and sometimes we don't. Mental health is complicated because it's about how we think, feel and act, and this is always changing. When our mental health is good, we enjoy being around other people and we feel able to take on challenges and new experiences.

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Self-harm is when an individual chooses to hurt themselves or make themselves feel pain in some way. If you think you are affected by self-harm, talk to someone - a parent/friend/teacher ! You can phone Childline on 08001111 4pm-midnight for confidential advice

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Find out what self-harm means and what to do if you think you're affected by it.

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Support for gender diverse children

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Beacon Counselling for young people affected by gambling

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Beacon Counselling for young people affected by gambling

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We offer free counselling for people with gambling-related issues and for those who are affected by somebody else's problematic gambling behaviour

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Support for children who have witnessed domestic violence

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If your family is experiencing, or has experienced, domestic violence, or you are concerned that domestic violence is happening in another home where your child is staying, remember that you and your child are not alone. On this page you can find organisations that can help you.

Domestic violence is never okay or excusable, and everyone has the right to live a life free from fear, harm and control. If your child is witnessing domestic violence, it can have a huge effect on their mental health and wellbeing - both while it is happening and later in life. The most important thing you can do is find the right support to help you take the next step, so that you and your child can feel safe and get the help you need.

What is domestic violence?

Domestic violence is any kind of abuse that happens between people in a relationship. It can involve threatening, controlling, frightening, bullying or violent behaviour - and may be physically, emotionally, sexually or financially abusive.

Children witnessing domestic violence between two adults are also experiencing abuse - and they may be at risk of being abused themselves by the same adult. You can find more information about the different types of abuse children and young people can experience here.

Where can I find help?

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Supporting Your Child - Domestic Violence

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If your family is experiencing, or has experienced, domestic violence, or you are concerned that domestic violence is happening in another home where your child is staying, remember that you and your child are not alone. On this page you can find organisations that can help you.

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Young Addaction provides support for secondary school age young people

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Young addaction is a service that provides drug and alcohol support for young people. Young Addaction work with young people aged 10 to 19 providing advice and support for drugs and alcohol. Our transitional service supports 20 to 24 year olds with additional support needs such as learning disabilities or Mental Health issues.

What do you do?

Stop Drug Use (including alcohol)

Cut Down

Improve Safety

Get Healthy Young

We deliver group work targeted to help to regular drug and alcohol users. In addition we can also support parents and carers with advice on how to speak to engage with their young people about substances. Young addaction also provides C-Card registration and condom demonstration, Hepatitis C testing, Needle Exchange and Safer Injecting advice. We can offer advice around nutrition and exercise to promote natural muscle building. We will contact the young person within two days and offer an appointment within five days.

What age group does young addaction work with?

We work with the ages 10 to 19 years and we also have a 20 to 24 years transitional service.

Do you work with other family members?

Yes, we can offer advice and guidance to families and carers here at young addaction.

Are you limited to working with people from a specific geographical area?

We work with people from Liverpool postcodes only.

Who would someone ask for in the first instance?

You can speak to any of us!

What are your opening times at young addaction?

Our opening times are 9am to 5pm Monday. We deliver detached outreach in various parts of Liverpool on Wednesday and Thursday evenings.

Can you be contacted out-of-hours?

Yes, please leave a message and we will get back to you the next (working) day.

Do you have appointments outside working hours?

We can arrange out-of-hours appointments as appropriate.

Do you have drop-in facilities?

No but we have an answering machine. Leave a message and we'll get back to you.

Where do you see young people?

Young addaction are flexible to see young people in various locations around Liverpool. We can arrange to see young people at their school. We also see young people at Young Addaction at Rotunda College in Kirkdale as well as the Firefit Hub in Toxteth.

Do you take referrals directly from children/young people, parents/carers?

Yes, you can 0151 736 9747 or we can email you a referral form. We also take referrals from any professionals as well as clients and family members.

What kinds of things do young addaction help with?

Young addaction specialise in supporting people with a range of substances including, Alcohol, Cannabis, Cocaine, Mephedrone, Ketamine, MDMA (Ecstasy), New drugs, etc. Young Addaction is a free and confidential service, non-judgemental and client centred. Once in service, Young Addaction can assist with signposting to other services such as education, training, housing, mental health and diversionary activities.

What do you offer?

Our overall aim is to increase young people's health and wellbeing through providing Cognitive Behavioural Approaches and Motivational Skills. We help young people to cut down or give up substances which may be impacting on their health and wellbeing. Young Addaction can deliver group work targeted to help to regular drug users, including binge drinking. Our Amber Room provides:* Condoms and C-Card registration* Hepatitis C testing* Needle Exchange and Safer Injecting advice* Chlamydia and Gonorrhoea urine tests

What happens after a referral is made to young addaction?

We will contact the young person within 2 days and offer an appointment within 5 days. The young person will be assessed around their substance use and any other surrounding problems.

What do you do if a client is not happy with the service at young addaction?

Any client can complain or ask to have a different key worker. Clients are made aware of the complaints procedure.

Do you offer training in your specialist area?

We have a volunteer program for anyone interested in becoming a project worker. You can apply through the Addaction website or call Alison Fleet on 0151 706 9747.

For other support available in liverpool, please visit Support Archive - Liverpool CAMHS

For more information on young addaction please visit Home - We Are With You

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Young Addaction - Drug and Alcohol Support - Liverpool CAMHS

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Stop Drug Use (including alcohol) Cut Down Improve Safety Get Healthy Young We deliver group work targeted to help to regular drug and alcohol users. In addition we can also support parents and carers with advice on how to speak to engage with their young people about substances.

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Advice on how to stay safe online and how to access support if something goes wrong

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14 ways to be kind online - Always think carefully about what you post ..

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CAMHS referral for young people under 18 yrs. Referrals can be made by parents , professionals and young people 

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CAMHS referral for young people under 18 yrs. Referrals can be made by parents , professionals and young people 

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Free safe and anonymous support for mental health

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Discover how we can support you - make a service referral - receive advice

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Safeguarding information for students for academic year 2024-2025

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Safeguarding briefing students September 2024

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Strategies for coping with feelings

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Grounding techniques

Discuss the suggestions with your child and the ones that they like. It is best to practise these techniques when your child is calm and practise them regularly. If the techniques have been regularly practised, then your child is more likely to remember them and use them when they feel intense emotions.

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Back to school: Strategies for coping with feelings

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Discuss the suggestions with your child and the ones that they like. It is best to practise these techniques when your child is calm and practise them regularly. If the techniques have been regularly practised, then your child is more likely to remember them and use them when they feel intense emotions.

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Free downloadable booklets to giude you through your privacy settings on social media

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Designed and Developed by Will Earp, South West Grid for Learning Trust Ltd

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Downloadable booklets to guide you through your profile settings in Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Snapchat. It helps you control how your profile appears, what your friends and other people can see, and how to report problems.

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Want to report a crime or incident anonymously?

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Want to report a crime or incident anonymously?

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This form is anonymous. No one will know you have sent this info.
If you are using a shared or public computer we encourage you to delete your page history.
Please include as much information as possible as there is no way we can contact you back for more information.

Please note we cannot help you if you are a victim of crime or if you require urgent emergency assistance, you should CALL THE POLICE. you can also visit our youth support services page HERE which provides a list of organisations who can offer you further help and advice.

To see an interactive video on how to complete the form please click here

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This form is anonymous. No one will know you have sent this info. If you are using a shared or public computer we encourage you to delete your page history. Please include as much information as possible as there is no way we can contact you back for more information.

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Advice for students suffering from bereavement

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Advice for students suffering from bereavement

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Hope Again - Young people coping with bereavement and living after loss. A website from Cruse Bereavement.

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Domestic Abuse - Advice for students re: domestic abuse

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Domestic Abuse - Advice for students re: domestic abuse

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What's OK At Home | Domestic Violence Resource Centre (DVRCV)

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We are an organisation called Domestic Violence Resource Centre (DVRCV) and we make websites, videos, apps, brochures, posters and lots more to help people understand what family violence is, why it happens, how to recognise it and how to help others who are experiencing it.

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Advice and support for students who are affected by an adult's drinking

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Advice and support for students who are affected by an adult's drinking

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Providing information, advice and support for everyone affected by a parent's drinking

1 in 5 people in the UK are affected by a parent's drinking. #URNotAlone

Providing information, advice and support for everyone affected by a parent's drinking

1 in 5 people in the UK are affected by a parent's drinking. #URNotAlone

Free helpline

If you would like to talk to someone, our free confidential helpline is here for you.
helpline@Nacoa.org.uk

The Nacoa promise

We are here to listen

We won't judge

We are here to help for as long as you want

What you say will remain confidential

Calling the helpline

Instant chat

Just tap on the blue instant chat icon in the bottom right of your screen.

Message boards

Share your experiences and talk to others in our online message boards.
Message boards

Make a difference.

... we are here to help. With your help we can help no child feel like they are on their own.

£10

5 information packs for professionals working with children of alcoholics.

£60

Free phone calls for a week.

£400

Train a new volunteers helpline counsellor.

£800

Keeps the helpline running for 6 weeks.

Become a Member for £26/year

For just £25 a year, you can join us as a Nacoa member. Receive invites to big events and our AGM. Have your say in our management. And get your iconic Nacoa t-shirt.

Become a Member

Keep in touch

To find out more about our events and activities, subscribe to our mailing list

We use Mailchimp as our marketing platform. By subscribing, you acknowledge that your information will be transferred to Mailchimp for processing. Learn more about Mailchimp's privacy practices.

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Nacoa: Helping everyone affected by their parent's drinking - Nacoa

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Nacoa UK helps everyone affected by a parent's drinking. 1 in 5 people in the UK are affected by their parent's drinking. #URNotAlone

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The online anonymous reporting system was launched in September 2021. You can report any safeguarding concerns anonymously to us. Staff receive notifications during school hours during term time. During school holidays the notifications are checked at least once per day

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How to talk to children about mental health

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How to talk to children about mental health

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The term online sexual harassment covers a range of unwanted sexual behaviours that occur online. These could happen on any online platform, such as social media, gaming or messaging apps, and could include content such as photos, videos, posts, webpages, messages or fake profiles.

This type of behaviour can be used to harass or bully individuals or groups of people in a sexualised way, and can be shared publicly or privately. For example, gossip about someone's sexual orientation may be posted publicly online, or someone may be privately messaged with threats about their nude images being shared.

Whilst online sexual harassment can happen between adults and children, this hot topic focuses on harassment taking place between young people.

If you are concerned about sexual harassment taking place between an adult and a child online, report this to CEOP.

Childnet is currently working on a project to raise awareness about online sexual harassment, and to encourage more young people to report it.

FAQs:

What type of behaviours does online sexual harassment include? Open or Close

Any type of behaviour that uses sexual content to harass or bully someone online could be classed as online sexual harassment. Even if the harassment was intended as a joke, or was a misunderstanding, it is the experience of the victim that defines whether it is sexual harassment or not.

"Someone has made a fake account of my friend, and have been commenting mean things on other people's photos." Girl, 13

"I have experienced lots of homophobic comments after coming out, and have heard other people use them as an insult." Gender unknown, age unknown

"There was a girl in a photo cuddling a different boy to who she was going out with and it's got sent around 2 different schools and everyone was screenshotting it and posted it to their story's saying "slut" or "slag" or "cheater" or "she can't keep her hands off boys lol" Girl, 13 years

How can it make people feel? Open or Close

Sexual harassment that happens online can make a person feel any of the following:

Threatened or scared

Exploited or coerced

That their dignity is violated

Humiliated or degraded

Shamed or judged

Upset

Sexualised

Discriminated against because of their gender or sexual orientation

Feel guilty or that they are to blame

Online sexual harassment can affect different people in different ways. There is no 'right' or 'wrong' way to feel. People who have been a target of online sexual harassment may also be worried about the threat of content resurfacing online in the future.

As well people who experience online sexual harassment, anyone who witnesses it happening to someone else online may also be affected.

Is online sexual harassment always illegal? Open or Close

No. Not all online sexual harassment will be illegal or a crime but is important to remember that this is unwanted sexual behaviour. Whether the incident is illegal or not, any unwanted behaviour that affects someone else in a negative way is never acceptable.

When does online sexual harassment break the law? Open or Close

Some instances of online sexual harassment may break the law.

Impersonating other people online, sending threatening messages and re-sharing other people's nude images are some types of behaviours that can break the law.

If the police became involved, they would need to know all the details of the incident in order to decide how to proceed with the case.

Do nude images break the law? Open or Close

If any incident involves someone under the age of 18 creating an explicit photo or video of themselves or someone else under 18 then they have potentially created an indecent image of a child. By sending this content on to another person, they have distributed an indecent image of a child. By receiving content of this kind from another young person, they are then in possession of an indecent image of a child.

The National Police Chiefs' Council of England, Wales and Northern Ireland have stated that young people engaging in this type of image sharing should not face prosecution as first time offenders, but the situation will be investigated to ensure that the young people involved are not at risk. Repeat offenders and more extreme cases are may have a higher chance of legal consequences, but the police have publicly stated they want to avoid prosecution unless absolutely necessary.

It happened...what should I do next? Open or Close

1. Talk to someone: it can be hard asking for help, but in a situation like this it is really important. Family members, school staff and your friends all want to make sure you are safe. In order for them to help you they need to know the whole story. Let them know what has happened, what you are worried about and what you need help with.

2. Use the reporting tools: these tools are there to help you. Sexual harassment is never acceptable - online or offline. In order to deal with it, online platforms such as social media and gaming networks need to know where it is and why you think it should be removed. If the content breaks terms and conditions, it should be taken down.

3. Will I get in trouble with the police? As outlined above, the laws around online behaviour are there to protect people. Any incident that is reported to police should be treated on a case by case basis, and should take into account the whole story leading up to the incident.

Who can help me?

Parents and carers: in order for them to support you they need to know something has happened. Let them know how you are feeling - you may feel worried or embarrassed at first, but all they want to do is help you.

Teacher or trusted adult at school

The local police: if you think a law has been broken, for example, if the incident involves nude images of someone under 18.

Remember, you can always speak in confidence to Childline or call them on 0800 11 11

If you think an adult has been involved in the harassment, especially with any coercion or blackmail, report this to CEOP.

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This type of behaviour can be used to harass or bully individuals or groups of people in a sexualised way, and can be shared publicly or privately. For example, gossip about someone's sexual orientation may be posted publicly online, or someone may be privately messaged with threats about their nude images being shared.

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Are you being bullied? Do you know someone who is being bullied? Speak to someone at home or school. This link has lots of useful tips.  The NSPCC also offer support https://www.nspcc.org.uk/what-is-child-abuse/types-of-abuse/bullying-and-cyberbullying/

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Advice for parents and carers to help keep children safe from bullying, wherever it happens.

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2025-2026

Week beginning 1st September 2025

All year groups will have safeguarding assemblies this week

Remember to log any safeguarding concerns via Whisper or email safeguarding@notredame.sjcmat.co.uk

In an emergency always call 999

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Feeling stressed, anxious, low or struggling to sleep? Every Mind Matters and One You can help with expert advice and practical tips. Start the fightback to a healthier you today.

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YPAS wellbeing clinic is in school every week - if you would like to be referred speak to either Mrs Brennan , Mrs Littleboy or your Assistant Head of Year

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Advice for parents/carers

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We Help Parents and Carers Protect Children from Sexual Abuse and Exploitation

Find out more

The most recent research reporting on the prevalence of sexting in England was conducted as part of a study examining the behaviour in the context of the romantic relationships of 724 children and young people aged 14-17 (Wood et al., 2015). The key findings of the study were:

38% of the sample had sent sexual images to a partner during or after their relationship, and 49% had received them

the proportion of the sample sending and receiving sexts increased with age (26% aged 14 compared with 48% aged 16)

girls were more likely to send sexts than boys (44% compared with 32% respectively), but they were equally likely to receive them

51% of the sample indicated that they engaged in sexting to feel sexy/be flirtatious and 45% did so because their partner asked them to

20% of the participants who reported sending sexual images indicated that they had been pressured into it. Girls were more likely to report this (27% compared to 7% of boys respectively)

98% of the girls who reported feeling pressured experienced negative impacts as a result

boys were more likely to have positive perceptions of the behaviour compared to girls (91% compared with 41% respectively)

32% of the sample reported that their partner subsequently shared images more widely without their consent, with this being much more frequently reported by girls (41% compared with 13% of boys respectively)

Did You Know?

38% of 13-18 year olds have received a sexually explicit message.

39% admit sharing intimate images.

40% do not see anything wrong with sending topless images.

56% are not aware of instances where images and videos were distributed further than the intended recipient.

70% knew the sender; the majority were peers or current girlfriends or boyfriends. A small minority were from known adults.*

*Survey conducted by 'South West Grid for Learning' (SWGfL) & University of Plymouth over 500 13 - 18 year olds.

Key concerns about sexting relate to forwarding images to peers or images being posted online without consent, and the associated social and emotional consequences (Ringrose et al., 2012; van Ouytsel et al., 2015). This includes distress, humiliation and reputational damage, as well as online and offline peer harassment and unwanted sexual advances.

What is sexting?

Sexting generally refers to the sending of sexually explicit images via text, email, MSN or through social networking sites. For example, this could be a picture of a boy or young man exposing himself or a young woman in a state of undress.

There are likely be many reasons why young people take these sorts of pictures and send them to someone else. It could be that two young people who are in a relationship want to prove their love or commitment to each other; it could be that someone is looking to start a relationship with someone else that they want to show off and/or they have been pressured by someone else into sending a sexual image.

Background

Many young people today are comfortable with recording many aspects of their lives online - much like other generations used to do in a diary.

These days, this often includes uploading and sharing photographs, sharing status messages on what has been happening in their lives and/or how they are feeling; texting back and forth. While this 'finger on the pulse, share all' culture has some benefits, it can create an environment in which teenagers and young people make impulsive decisions without thinking through the possible consequences of their actions. Oftentimes, they are only a click away from doing something digitally that they would not consider doing in the real world.

Consequences

Sending sexually explicit messages or pictures has the potential to cause problems for the person sending it; it can have serious consequences if the content is shared with others - either by people forwarding it on using messages or emails, or by uploading it onto a social networking site or website. This could result in immediate consequences, possibly within the school environment and within their friendship group. There is also the potential for more serious long term consequences for later in life such as if a prospective college, university or employer were to see it. Sending sexual images of anyone under the age of 18 whether it be of oneself to a boy or girlfriend is technically in the eyes of the law constitutes an offence of distributing and indecent image of a child which has legal consequences such as the possibility of a criminal record and a young person's name being placed on the sex offender register.

Top Tips:

Remind your child that once an image is sent, there is no getting it back. Stress to your child that once they have sent an image, or posted it online, they no longer have control of it and it could end up anywhere. Ask them to reflect on how they would feel if their teachers, parents, or their whole school saw what they had sent.

Make sure they take responsibility. Ensure your child understands that they are responsible for their actions. This includes what they choose to do if they receive a sexually explicit photo. Explain that if they do receive one, they need to delete it immediately. Tell them why they should do this and the consequences of not doing so and what might happen if they send it on they are distributing indecent images of children-- and that they could get into trouble with the police.

Talk to your children about sexting and the consequences - don't wait for something to happen. It is not easy to talk about sex, dating and relationships with teenagers - but it is better to discuss these matters before something happens.

Discuss the influence of peer pressure. Peer pressure can be a formidable force. Ensure your child knows that you understand that they could be persuaded or forced into sending something. Talk to them about ways to resist peer pressure and making positive decisions. Make sure they understand that no matter how great the pressure becomes, the potential social humiliation and legal consequences could be a hundred times worse. Let them know that they can talk to you about this pressure and ways to deal with it.

Resources

This guide for schools offers teaching staff practical advice about what to do if sexting happens in school, highlights the steps to be taken and offers examples of best practice through case studies. It gives an overview of the problem and offers an insight into the research and categorisation of sexting incidents. It highlights some activities that schools can do to address the issues and develop a 'whole school' approach.

CEOP - 'Exposed' video

Watch the CEOP (Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre) video below. This 10 minute drama has been designed for 14 to 18 year olds and deals with the subjects of sexting and cyberbullying - both issues that teenagers commonly face. We recommend that you share this with your children.

That's not cool

This website has been created to help young people and their parents understand how mobile phones, instant messaging and online profiles are all digital extensions of who they are. It aims to give the tools to help people think about what is, or is not, okay in their digital relationships. www.thatsnotcool.com

This short video from 'that's not cool' highlights some of the pressures young people might face when it comes to sending sexually explicit pictures. After you have seen it - share it with your children.

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We Help Parents and Carers Protect Children from Sexual Abuse and Exploitation Find out more The most recent research reporting on the prevalence of sexting in England was conducted as part of a study examining the behaviour in the context of the romantic relationships of 724 children and young people aged 14-17 (Wood et al., 2015).

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Eating disorders are complex mental illnesses. Anyone, no matter what their age, gender, ethnicity or background, can develop one. Some examples of eating disorders include avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID), bulimia, binge eating disorder, and anorexia.

There's no single cause and people might not have all symptoms for any one eating disorder. Many people are diagnosed with "other specified feeding or eating disorder" (OSFED), which means that their symptoms don't exactly match what doctors check for to diagnose binge eating disorder, anorexia, or bulimia, but doesn't mean that it's not still very serious.

It's also possible for someone's symptoms, and therefore their diagnosis, to change over time. For example, someone could have anorexia, but their symptoms could later change to fit with a diagnosis of bulimia.

If you are wondering whether you have an eating disorder, this may bring up lots of questions, thoughts, and feelings. It may also be that other people are telling you that they are concerned about you or think you have an eating disorder, but you don't agree. This can be difficult and cause conflict with those around you. Our Helpline team are here to discuss anything you are concerned about or would like to learn more about.

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Eating disorders are complex mental illnesses. Anyone, no matter what their age, gender, ethnicity or background, can develop one. Some examples of eating disorders include avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID), bulimia, binge eating disorder, and anorexia. There's no single cause and people might not have all symptoms for any one eating disorder.

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If you have been sexting and something has gone wrong - there is advice here! Remember always speak to a trusted adult

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1. Images sent on sites like Snapchat can still be saved and screenshotted.

2. It's not okay for someone to pressure you into sending a nude.

3. Sending or receiving a nude when you're under 18 is against the law.

4. Not everyone in a relationship will share nudes.

5. If something goes wrong, there's support to help.

If you've sent a nude and you're worried about what might happen, there are things you can do:

Ask for the message to be deleted
Explain that you're not comfortable with them keeping the picture and ask them to delete it.

Don't reply to threats
Don't reply to someone trying to threaten or blackmail you, and don't send more photos. It can be scary, but it can help you to keep in control

Use Report Remove to get it removed from the internet
If you're under 18 and a nude image or video has been shared online, we can help you get it removed from the internet. Find out how to remove a nude image shared online.

Report what's happened
If you're under 18 and you're worried or being threatened you can make a report to CEOP. Making a report isn't confidential but it does mean that they can help to stop what's happening.

Get help with how you're feeling
Having a nude shared by other people or being threatened isn't your fault. If you're struggling to cope or you don't know what to do, talk to us.

If you've been threatened or you've had images of you shared it can have a big effect on you. Some young people feel guilty, worried or even ashamed of what happened. But it wasn't your fault.

Nobody ever has the right to share images of you without your consent. And if you're struggling to cope, we've got advice to help:

Talk about how you're feeling
Talking about what happened can help you to see things differently and let your feelings out. If you're not sure who to talk to then you can always talk to us.

Report any images that are posted online
You can usually make a report of images posted of you to the website they're on. If you're under 18, you can also report what's happened to the IWF anonymously and they can help you to take them down.

Get help with bullying
Being bullied is never okay. If you're being made fun of or hurt after what's happened, we've got advice to help.

Sharing nudes, dick pics, videos or sexual messages with someone who doesn't consent to receive them isn't okay. And it can be against the law.

There are lots of reasons you might want to send a nude. But if you're not sure whether you should or you're being pressured by friends, it can help to talk to an adult you trust about what's happened.

If you've shared a message or picture with someone who doesn't want it:

Apologise about what you've sent

Stop contacting the person if they don't want you to talk to them

Don't pressure the person to send images or messages back

Talk to someone you trust about what happened

Find out more about what should happen in a healthy relationship.

If you're over 18 and someone's shared a naked or sexual picture of you without your consent, they're breaking the law.

Lots of social media sites can take images of you down if you report it, but this may not always happen. If someone is threatening you, or has posted a picture of you online, there's a special Revenge Pornography Helpline to help people who are over 18.

You can also get support from The Mix.

Part of being in a healthy relationship is being able to say what you think without being scared or worried.

Try saying how you feel when you're asked for a nude or sexual message. If someone doesn't listen or you don't feel able to, it can help to talk to us.

It can be tough when your friends talk about sexting or say they're sending nudes. But it can help to remember:

even if someone says they're sending nudes, they might not be

once you send a nude, you lose control of it and it can be shared online or with other people

a good friend should never make you do something that makes you uncomfortable.

Try our advice on standing up to friends.

When you're under 18 it's against the law to send nudes or sexual videos of you to anyone else. It's also against the law for anyone to save or share a nude or sexual video of you. Even if it's a selfie or they're under 18 too.
Will I get in trouble?
You can get in trouble if you threaten to share a nude, even if you don't actually do it.

Only the police can decide if they're going to charge you with an offence after sexting. But it's important to remember that the law is there to protect you, not get you into trouble.

If you're both under 18 and you're in a healthy relationship, then it's unlikely the police would want to prosecute either of you.

Sexting between adults is legal. But it's against the law to send a nude or any kind of sexual image or video to someone under 18.

Asking for or viewing sexual images of someone who's under 18 is a crime.

It's also against the law to send a nude or video of someone who was under 18 at the time, but is an adult now.
Sharing other people's nudes
Sharing someone else's nudes or sexual videos without their consent is against the law, even when they're over 18. It can also be against the law to threaten to share someone's nudes or videos.

Snaps automatically disappear once the person you sent them to has seen them. But they can still take screenshots and save them. That means that they'll have a copy of the photo even after Snapchat deletes it.

Follow our instructions below or find more information at the Snapchat website.
Make a report
If you receive an abusive or worrying message. It can help to take a screenshot so you've got a record. The person who messaged you will see if you've taken a screenshot, so it's important to think about how they might react if they knew.

If someone's bullying or harassing you, or sending naked pictures you can report that person to Snapchat.

To make a report:

In the app, go to the person's Snapchat account

Press the 3 dots or the cog wheel

Press 'Report'

To report a Snapchat or Snapchat Live Story that contains nudity or bullying content:
Block someone
Blocking someone on Snapchat will stop them from seeing your story or sending you snaps and chats. It can help if someone's sending you abusive messages.

To block someone:

in Snapchat, open the chat for the person you want to block

press the 3 lines in the top left hand corner

press Block.

The way to report abuse changes depending on what you're reporting. You can find out how to report abuse on the Facebook help page or by reading Facebook information on reporting and blocking.
Report bullying, sexting or nude images
Most naked images are against Facebook's rules and naked pictures of someone under 18 are never allowed.
To report a naked picture of you, bullying or something you've seen on a live video
On the Facebook app:

select the 3 dots in the top right hand corner of the post or photo

select to leave feedback or report

if you have to leave feedback, select to report the post afterwards

you'll be asked some questions about why you're making a report.

You can also fill out Facebook's form to report an image or select what best describes what you want to report. Facebook won't tell the person you're reporting that it was you. They'll tell you in your Support Inbox if they've been able to take the picture down.
To report something on Facebook Messenger
In the app:

You can also make a report to Facebook by filling in this form even if you don't have an account.
Facebook has lots of information on how to report other types of content that's being used to bully or threaten you.

Reports are anonymous so the person doing the bullying won't know who reported it. Facebook will tell you in your Support Inbox if they've been able to help.

Have a look at Facebook's page on privacy to change your privacy settings and control who sees your profile and posts.

You can also hide someone on Facebook. This means that you won't see their posts in your newsfeed, but you'll still be friends with them.

Instagram is automatically set to public so that anyone can see your images - even if you don't know them. Setting your profile to private can help to stop bullying and keep you safe. Find out more about changing your privacy settings.

Live streams shared to your followers will disappear after they've finished unless you add them to your story. But people are still able to screenshot or record it and Instagram can't delete this.

Most naked images are against Instagram's rules and naked pictures of someone under 18 are never allowed.
Report a naked image or something you find threatening
In the app:

press the 3 dots in the top right hand corner above the picture or video

select Report

select the reasons you want to report the image.

If someone is bullying, threatening or sending photos to you via direct message, you can also report that.

In the app:

open the direct message from the person you want to report

press the i in the top right hand corner

select Report and enter the reasons you want to report them

you can also block the person by pressing Block User.

Instagram won't tell someone if they've been blocked. Once they are blocked, they won't be able to find your profile, posts or story on Instagram. But they can still mention you using the '@' sign. Changing your username can be a good way to make sure that they can't mention it.

Find out more about reporting to Instagram.

What you tweet on Twitter is public unless you've set your account to private. This means that anyone can read, retweet and respond to anything you tweet.

Changing your privacy settings is a good way to stop people tweeting or replying to you. It can also help if people are direct messaging you. Find out more about changing your privacy settings.
What to do if you're being bullied

Unfollow anyone who is bullying or harassing you by going to their profile and pressing the 'following' button

Block anyone who is bullying or harassing you by going to their profile, pressing the 3 dots (on Android) or the gear (on iOS) in the top right hand corner and selecting block

Blocking someone stops them from contacting or following you. You can always unblock them if you want to in the future.

If someone creates new accounts to keep harassing you or posts a naked photo of you then you can also make a report to Twitter.

Follow our steps below or read more on WhatsApp's website.

If someone is bullying or harassing you, or sending naked photos of you then you can report and block them. This won't delete any photos they've saved but can get them banned from using the app.

To block or report someone:

go to the chat with the person you want to report

tap on the group or person's name to open their profile

scroll down and press Report

you can also block the person on this page.

Blocking someone on messenger apps means they won't be able to send you nasty messages. Usually the other person won't know that you've blocked them. You'll just appear offline when they look at their contacts.
Can I delete an image I've sent to someone?
When you share images on WhatsApp, the person receiving them will then have copies on their phone, which they can share with people inside and outside of WhatsApp. Even if you delete a message or an image from your chat, others may still have a back-up or screenshot.

Video chatting on WhatsApp isn't recorded automatically, but can still be recorded or screenshotted. Once this happens, you lose control of it.

It's important to remember that when you're using video chat sites like Skype, Omegle and Discord, whoever is watching you can record or screenshot your conversation without your knowledge.

Video chat sites can't delete images or videos that have been screenshotted or recorded. This is because they're saved directly to the person's device.

Some sites do allow you to report if something's happened, find out how to make a report on:

People on Tumblr can ask you questions anonymously, which means you don't know who they really are. Sometimes people decide to send abusive or hurtful messages to other people on Tumblr.

Tumblr does not allow sexually explicit videos or naked photos of people under 18.

If someone is bullying on Tumblr or they've posted a naked photo of you, you can report it here.

You can also block anyone you don't want contact with here.

Tik Tok is automatically set to public, which means that anyone can see what you live stream or the videos you post. Changing your account settings can help to keep you safe and stop abuse. Find out more about setting your account to private.

Tik Tok does not allow sexually explicit videos or live streams, especially when it involves someone under 18. They also don't allow bullying in comments, posts or private messages.

To report a video or live stream:

To report a comment:

To report a chat:

open the conversation you want to report

tap the 3 dots in the corner of the screen

select It's Inappropriate

tap Report

select the reason you're making a report

press Report.

To report an account:

go to the account you want to report

tap the 3 dots in the corner of the screen

tap Report

select It's Inappropriate

select the reason you're making a report

press Report.

Find out more about making a report to Tik Tok.

After you've made a report
Not all sites will take content down straight away, and sometimes they might not take something down when you've made a report.

Remember that you can keep making reports if you are concerned about something, but it can also help to talk to an adult you trust.

Even when you've reported something it can still have an effect on you. No matter what's happening you can talk to Childline or get support from other young people on our message boards.

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Find out about sexting and sending nudes: Why do people do it? Is it legal or illegal? How can someone under 18 get an online image of them removed?

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Supporting children and young people ) in Liverpool who are looking after a family member who is ill, disabled, has mental health problems, or is misusing drugs or alcohol.

Supporting Young Adult Carers up to age 25, who continue to have a caring responsibility for an Adult.

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Supporting children and young people ) in Liverpool who are looking after a family member who is ill, disabled, has mental health problems, or is misusing drugs or alcohol. Supporting Young Adult Carers up to age 25, who continue to have a caring responsibility for an Adult.

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How you experience social media can affect your mood. That's why, together with O2, we've gathered these tips and advice on how to enjoy a more positive time online.

Guide Menu for Social media and mental health

Being connected is a big part of our lives. But if you're seeing stuff online which makes you feel angry, sad, worried, stressed, or annoyed, this can build up and start having a negative impact on your life.

For example, you might start worrying more about how you look or what you're missing out on.

If you ever feel overwhelmed by the online world, unable to switch off, or find it difficult to cope, you're not alone. We all struggle to keep our online world positive sometimes.

Show/hide caption

At the top of the image, the text reads: Clean your feed. Underneath that there is smaller text which reads: How do the posts you see make you feel? The first post-it note is of a smiley face emoji with the text: Wahey! Keep it coming. The next post-it note is a sleeping emoji with the text: Bored? Worth your time? The third post-it is the angry emoji with the text: Angry, probably unfollow. The fourth is an emoji with no mouth, it reads: Speechless, good way or bad? The next is a smiley emoji with two hands that reads: Inspired, share the love. The final post-it has a sad face with the text: negative, nobody needs this.

Before you can make social media a more positive place to be, you need to find out what kind of feed you have. Have a scroll through your feed for five minutes and write down five words that describe your feed.

How can I have a more positive time online?

It's not always easy to tell why you're feeling down when you're online. Take some time to go through your social media feed to work out what's making you feel good, and what's not.

Use these tips to help you:

Whatever your passions are in life, you're not alone. There are accounts out there that will interest and excite you, and help you explore your passions.

Being part of a positive online community can give a boost to your mental health.

Here are some tips to help you find yours:

You never know what someone else is going through and, whether you realise it or not, your support could make all the difference.

Social media is a great place to let your friends know you haven't forgotten them, that you care about them and that they matter - and getting involved in making the online world a more positive place to be could give you a boost too!

Here are some tips to get you started:

Top tech tips and advice from an O2 Guru

Managing your time

Apps like Facebook, Instagram and YouTube make it easy to track your time online, whether you're on iOS or Android.
For Facebook, go to More > Settings and privacy > Your time on Facebook.
For Instagram, go to Your account > More > Settings and your activity.

You can set daily reminders telling you how long you've been using an app. On Facebook for example, go to Your time on Facebook > Set daily reminder. Then set your ideal daily usage.

Apps like Hold are handy, especially if you're trying to focus on studying. Hold rewards you for putting your phone down. You get 'pocket points' which can be exchanged for coffee vouchers and cinema tickets. There are many other apps out there that help you stay off your phone, but don't reward you, like Moment, Stay Focused and OFFTIME.

Apps can help you relax

Meditation apps like Calm have stories that can help you get to sleep, as well as daily breathing exercises that help you relax. Calm even has masterclasses taught by world-renowned experts.

Sleep affects your mood

If you'd like to switch off the blue night your screen emits at night, some phones have night mode.
iOS
Go to Settings > Control Centre > Night Shift
Older iPhones have shortcuts to Night Shift if you swipe up from the bottom of the screen. The shortcut on newer iPhones appears if you drag down from the top right of the screen.
Android
Android devices often have an 'eye comfort' mode. This setting can be found by dragging your finger down from the top of the screen and tapping 'eye comfort'. If you press and hold this option, you'll also find a convenient schedule option to save you more work.

When you need to unwind, you may find that something simple like trying an audiobook rather than reading on your phone may help. Apps like Audible come with a 30-day free trial.

Get free advice

For free advice, pop into any O2 shop to speak to an O2 Guru. Whether you're an O2 customer or not, you can chat to a Guru about setting up your phone and choose apps to work for you.

How can I deal with online bullying?

Bullying is never okay, whether it's at school, at home, or on the internet. If you're being harassed or upset in any way online, reach out for help from someone you trust.

You can block and report the people involved, or, if you don't feel able to block someone, try muting them - they won't know you've muted them and you won't have to see their posts or messages.

You can also use the privacy settings on your social networks to limit what they can see on your profile. See below for tips on how to block, report or mute people on social media.

How can I block, mute or report other accounts?

All social media channels have similar ways to reduce negative content, so check the help sections to find out how to make your online world more positive.

You can also report anything you find abusive, harmful or upsetting on all social media channels. Find out how to report things on:

Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Tumblr | Pinterest | Snapchat | YouTube

Try these five tips for reducing negative content on Instagram:

How can I look after my privacy?

Here's some advice to help you work out what to share, how to avoid oversharing, and how to look after your privacy.

Get help now

See below for a list of organisations and helpline services that have information to support you.

More on social media and online pressures

Tips, advice and real stories on social media and mental health.

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Social Media and Mental Health | Tips and Advice

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How you experience social media can affect your mood. That's why, together with O2, we've gathered these tips and advice on how to enjoy a more positive time online. Guide Menu for Social media and mental health Being connected is a big part of our lives.

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Every Mind Matters - link updated Sept 2024

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If you are feeling stressed, anxious, low or can’t sleep, Every Mind Matters can help with expert advice, practical tips and personalised actions to help you.

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My child is bullying others

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My child is bullying others

Bullying is a behaviour, not a personality type. If your child has been accused of bullying others, or you have seen them showing bullying behaviour, don't panic! Help is at hand.

First steps

Talk calmly with your child

Find a quiet moment, in a private space and talk with your child about your concerns.

Gather information

Explain that you have been told about/have seen a bullying situation and you want to find out what is happening from their perspective. Listen carefully to what they are saying.

Make it clear that bullying behaviour hurts other people and that it has to stop.

Reflect

Is your child learning this behaviour from what they see in school or at home?

Are they struggling with their own confidence or feelings of self worth?

Have they experienced bullying themselves and this may be a reaction?

Are they worried about a problem at home such as a pet dying, parents fighting or separating?

Is there anything going on in their life that you think might be hard for them to deal with?

Supporting your child

Helping them understand the impact

Help your child to understand how what they did, or are doing is hurting others.

Empathy

Discuss the situation from the other child's perspective. Encourage your child to think about how it would have made them feel.

Encourage them to talk about their concerns and fears

Find out if there are other concerns and fears behind their behaviour.

Problem solve

Work through scenarios and what could they do differently. See if you can find the root cause of their behaviour and brainstorm ways of managing the underlying problems.

Look for ways of "putting things right" with the other child or children

Focus on solutions.

Be realistic

Understand that changing a child's behaviour doesn't happen overnight. It takes dedication, patience and support.

Get help

If things don't improve, you may wish to seek professional advice. This could be from your GP, Young Minds or a local youth counsellor.

Moving forward

Praise your child for ways they help and support other people and the things that go right

Check in daily

Show interest and concern - help your child understand his/her feelings.

Make time to spend with your child each day - read with your child or tell family stories. Create a warm and secure home environment.

Be careful about how you talk and behave towards others. Remember your children are always watching you. Try to be patient, respectful and kind in your interactions with others, even if times are hard. If you are struggling with your own feelings of anger or resentment then seek help.

If your child is active and a natural leader, get them to use their power in a positive way - for example by sticking up for younger children or those that find school hard. Talk to their teacher about useful ways to divert excess energy at school, for example getting equipment ready, putting out chairs, etc.

Encourage them to choose respect - use our resource to learn more.

Working with the school

A good school will take action against bullying behaviour so they have done the right thing by letting you know they have concerns. It's natural to be defensive about your own child, but stay calm, listen, and be clear you want to work with the school to find a way forward and ensure the best outcome for all involved.

Listen

Listen carefully to what is being said. Write everything down for reference.

Ask them to explain anything you don't understand

Repeat back what you have heard to ensure you have understood the situation.

Offer assurance

Let the school know that you take the matter seriously and will support them in stopping any behaviour that is causing concern.

Be clear on next steps

Ask the school how it wishes to proceed, and discuss ways in which you can work together. Request a copy of the anti-bullying policy and procedures to ensure you are best informed about the process.

Provide information

If there is information about your child that would be helpful to aid in a better understanding of the situation, explain this to the school.

Follow up and monitor

Arrange a meeting with the school to discuss how the bullying will be monitored and how you will be informed of any further incidents. Ask for regular updates.

Find out more

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Bullying is a behaviour, not a personality type. If your child has been accused of bullying others, or you have seen them showing bullying behaviour, don't panic! Help is at hand. Talk calmly with your child Find a quiet moment, in a private space and talk with your child about your concerns.

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What is cyber bullying?

Cyberbullying is used as an umbrella term to describe many different kinds of online abuse including but not limited to harassment, doxing, reputation attacks and revenge porn.

To constitute cyberbullying - the perpetrator uses technology such as computers, consoles, cell phones and/or any other device with access to the internet or social media to harass, stalk or abuse another person by instigating or participating in online hate campaigns. Although most media coverage indicates that cyberbullying is a problem exclusive to social media - it is also very problematic within the online gaming community.

Victims of cyberbullying often don't know who are behind the accounts that are abusing them. Sometimes the victim can suspect who the bullies are, but are unable to prove it because trolling and bullying accounts often make use of everybody's important right to anonymity - other times, complete strangers become aware of cyberbullying taking place and fall into a 'mob mentality' by contributing and amplifying the bullying rather than helping the victim.

Cyberbullying is not exclusive to any specific demographic - everybody is now at risk of being a cyberbullying victim in some way.

Different kinds of cyberbullying

There are many ways that someone can fall victim to or experience cyberbullying when using technology and the internet. Some common methods of cyberbullying are:

Harassment - When someone is being harassed online, they are being subjected to a string of abusive messages or efforts to contact them by one person or a group of people. People can be harassed through social media as well as through their mobile phone (texting and calling) and email. Most of the contact the victim will receive will be of a malicious or threatening nature.

Doxing - Doxing is when an individual or group of people distribute another person's personal information such as their home address, cell phone number or place of work onto social media or public forums without that person's permission to do so. Doxing can cause the victim to feel extremely anxious and it can affect their mental health.

Cyberstalking - Similar to harassment, cyberstalking involves the perpetrator making persistent efforts to gain contact with the victim, however this differs from harassment - more commonly than not, people will cyberstalk another person due to deep feelings towards that person, whether they are positive or negative. Someone who is cyberstalking is more likely to escalate their stalking into the offline world.

Revenge porn - Revenge porn, is when sexually explicit or compromising images of a person have been distributed onto social media or shared on revenge porn specific websites without their permission to do so. Normally, images of this nature are posted by an ex-partner, who does it with the purpose of causing humiliation and damage to their reputation.

Swatting - Swatting is when someone calls emergency responders with claims of dangerous events taking place at an address. People swat others with the intention of causing panic and fear when armed response units arrive at their home or place of work. Swatting is more prevalent within the online gaming community.

Corporate attacks - In the corporate world, attacks can be used to send masses of information to a website in order to take the website down and make it non-functional. Corporate attacks can affect public confidence, damaging businesses reputations and in some instances, force them to collapse.

Account hacking - Cyberbullies can hack into a victim's social media accounts and post abusive or damaging messages. This can be particularly damaging for brands and public figures.

False profiles - Fake social media accounts can be setup with the intention of damaging a person or brand's reputation. This can easily be done by obtaining publicly available images of the victim and making the account appear as authentic as possible.

Slut shaming - Slut shaming is when someone is called out and labelled as a "slut" for something that they have done previously or even just how they dress. This kind of cyberbullying often occurs when someone has been sexting another person and their images or conversations become public. It is seen more commonly within young people and teenagers but anyone can fall victim to being slut shamed.

Why do people cyberbully?

There are many reasons that someone might choose to cyberbully another person. Some of the most common reasons are:

They've been cyberbullied themselves - Someone may choose to cyberbully another person because they have been through cyberbullying themselves. They might feel like it's okay to treat people in that way or find that it is the only way to express their own pain.

To fit in - If someone sees another person being cyberbullied by a group of people, they may feel that by participating, they will 'fit in' or develop a new group of friends themselves.

Home life - The perpetrator may be having a difficult home life and misplace their anger and frustration onto someone else. Most of the time, this will happen when the cyberbully doesn't have anyone to talk to about what they are going through.

Power - Someone may choose to cyberbully in order to feel powerful and have the ability to control a situation.

Jealously - Jealously is one of the most common reasons for cyberbullying, especially for teenagers and young people. Growing up as teenager can be a difficult time as young people are discovering themselves, and they may feel insecure about their appearance. Because they feel insecure, they might compare themselves to their peers which can result in envy based cyberbullying and abuse.

Cyberbullying and video games - Online gaming has grown rapidly over the last few years. This boom has also seen a rise in online players reporting toxicity and abuse when gaming online. Online gamers have the ability to talk to other users through the use of a microphone to chat - this can be used to encourage teamwork, build friendships and improve the overall gaming experience in general. Some players take advantage of this technology and use it to abuse players through verbal abuse or text/messaging abuse.

What to do if you are being cyberbullied

If you are being cyberbullied, it can be easy to think that no one will understand or be able to help you - but that isn't the case. See below for some advice for how to deal with cyberbullying.

Talk to someone - When going through cyberbullying, it is important that you build up a network of support from friends, family and people you can trust. These people will be able to help and support you. Talking to people in times of crisis can not only add a voice of reason or rational thought, it can also help you feel better for being able to share your thoughts and feelings without judgement. If you are a young person or teenager who has fallen victim to cyberbullying, you might want to consider talking to a parent or teacher that you feel you can trust. If the cyberbullying is occurring in school or it is involving people who attend your school, a teacher should be able to help you resolve the issue effectively.

Don't retaliate - When people are cyberbullying others, they are normally doing it for a reaction. If you choose to not retaliate, they will eventually become bored and move on.

Assess the threat - If the cyberbully is sending you messages of a threatening nature or you have reason to be worried about your safety, you should contact law enforcement. They will be able to help you with your immediate safety and give you advice on what to do going forward.

It's important to remember that law enforcement are only there for emergencies and you should only be contacting them if you are in immediate danger or believe your personal safety is at risk.

How do people get cyberbullied?

There are many ways in which someone can be cyberbullied. The majority of hate campaigns take place on social media platforms and through phone calls.

On some social media platforms, you can create pages and secret groups of people. Tools such as these are used to organize hate campaigns.

Cyberbullying statistics

Statistics for cyberbullying and online abuse vary around the world. See below for some recent statistics for cyberbullying and online harassment. Explore our cyberbullying and harassment research section for more in-depth cyberbullying statistics.
PEW Research (U.S.)

41% of Americans have been personally subjected to harassing behavior online.

35% of all adults had experienced some form of online harassment (2014).

62% of U.S. adults say people being harassed or bullied online is a major problem.

70% of women state that online harassment is a major problem.

Cybersmile Research (U.S.)

54.5% of all respondents had seen the most abuse on Facebook.

61.1% of all female respondents had seen the most abuse on Facebook.

35.7% of respondents had seen religion based bullying online.

Nearly 40% of all respondents had seen bullying, harassment or abuse online.

Cybersmile Research (U.K.)

29.6% of respondents aged 25-34 had seen homophobic abuse online.

31.5% of respondents aged 18-24 had seen religion based bullying online.

40.6% of respondents aged 18-24 had seen racist abuse online.

55.1% of all respondents had seen the most online abuse on Facebook.

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Everything you need to know about cyberbullying, harassment and online abuse. Learn exactly what is and isn't cyberbullying.

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Get help here!

Learn more from ConnectFutures

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An extremist is someone who supports an idea, cause, or set of values so adamantly and without compromise that this person will use their views to justify anything they do or their behaviour.

What is radicalisation?

Radicalisation is a process by which an individual or group comes to adopt increasingly extreme political, social, or religious ideals, especially with regard to support for or use of violence.

What is terrorism?

Terrorism is the deliberate creation and exploitation of fear in order to advance a political, racial, religious or ideological cause; it uses terror and open violence against civilians to attempt to force people, authorities or governments to change their behaviour.

What should I do if I am worried?

There are many options to explore if you are concerned about a loved one, including from having an informal conversation to intervention from the authorities. Firstly, it is best to try to open up dialogue, not being judgmental but trying to find out what is behind the worrying behaviour. Young people often want to explore issues, for example talking about politics or religion - this is a positive thing. Former extremists often tell us that parents should try to keep the lines of talking open, try to listen, and tackle the tricky questions together. The idea is to help young people learn and grow, while building resilience to negative ideas and arguments. Talk to your child's teachers, youth workers, community organisations and other parents - there are always people to get advice and support from.

For those worried about a relative in prison who seems at risk of being radicalised, any dialogue may clearly be less possible. The main advice is similar to above - to keep lines of communication open, and for those in prison to know the family is there for them. There is the choice of contacting the prison pastoral team to see if they could talk to your relative. Religious conversion is common in prisons, but this is not the same as support for terrorism.

There are a number of organisations that work with families affected by having family members in prison. You can contact the National Offenders' Families Helpline which is run by Family Lives on 0808 808 2003. You can speak to St Giles Trust who work with ex-offenders and their families on 0808 801 0600.

What are the warning signs?

The first thing to say is that there is no one set of signals that would be a cause for alarm. Behaviours - such as increased arguing, dressing in a particular way, being active on social media or becoming more religious or political - might be typical of any teenager. When it becomes worrisome is if there is a combination of some of the following:

when a person cuts off ties with friends and family to keep company with a new circle

when they start to support violence

when they suddenly become disinterested in school or activities they previously liked to do

when they express hateful views or use derogatory terms towards other individuals or groups

if they are spending time on their computer researching extremist groups

if they are liking or retweeting posts made by fighters or extremist ideologues on their social media accounts

Obviously, if a family member commits or plans violent acts, tries to acquire weapons or plans a trip to a conflict zone, then there is a legal obligation to report concerns to the police.

As a parent - what are some of the practical things I can do?

The website Educate against Hate has an excellent section for parents who are worried about extremism, including suggestions on other agencies to contact for advice. It gives real life examples of successful interventions which have stopped young people being radicalised.

Recruitment and how might a child be at risk?

Radicalisers have three main ways they work: face to face, on-line and through printed or other material. In face-to-face interactions, your child may be approached directly by someone who seems trustworthy - perhaps in a club, group or a religious setting. They would not straight away preach a violent ideology, but initially just show interest, praise them and make them feel important. Later they might stress your child's significance to the movement, or duty to take part. They might tell of the rewards of belonging, or the excitement.

Skilled radicalisers will find a point of vulnerability, even in children who are successful at school and who have a secure home life. Indirect radicalization can occur through peers, i.e. those who have already been conscripted and seek to draw others into their group. On-line radicalization can again be direct or indirect - direct in terms of a person who is able to contact your child and who gradually builds up an on-line relationship; and indirect through your child looking at extremist material and becoming convinced to take some sort of action. Physical material in terms of leaflets, books or videos may also be offered - perhaps handed out at demonstrations. It's important to point out that there is no one defined route to radicalizing a person. In some cases, people have self-radicalised via the internet.

What if my child actually joins an extremist group?

If a child does join a group, or travels to join a group overseas, report the situation and take advice from the police. Former violent extremists suggest that it is important to try to keep contact, and to stress that they will be welcome if they return, even if you do not agree with what they are doing. Being accusatory or angry at any stage may push them further. Radicalisers often use family tensions to draw young people further into a group.

What about on-line recruitment?

If you come across online material promoting terrorism, extremism or radicalisation, you can anonymously report this to the Home office on https://www.gov.uk/report-terrorism. You can report material such as:

articles, images, speeches or videos that promote terrorism or encourage violence

content encouraging people to commit acts of terrorism

websites made by terrorist or extremist organisations

videos of terrorist attacks

Can teachers refer children to Channel without telling parents?

Yes, this is because there have been cases where families have been radicalising and therefore influencing children. However, this is unusual, and professionals such as teachers are to take proportionate steps, starting with a conversation with colleagues, safeguarding leads and experts for advice, and involving families wherever possible.

What is the Government doing about it?

The Government has a national strategy - part of a broader programme - called Prevent, which aims to stop people becoming terrorists or supporting terrorism. It addresses all forms of extremisms. It is supported by legislation such as the Terrorism Act (2000/2006) and the Counter Terrorism Security Act (2015).

What is Channel?

Channel is part of Prevent and is intended to act as an early intervention. It is a voluntary scheme meant to encourage and support those individuals considered at risk to make positive life choices, steering them away from violent extremism and terrorism. It is a multi-agency approach including the police and local authorities, which make up a Channel Panel. There have been some concerns about how people are referred to Channel, particularly how people are identified as being 'at risk'. This is why understanding the process is important for both families and professionals. If a person referred is considered by the panel to be vulnerable, and the case accepted, the panel will put interventions into place, for example helping with education, health, housing or employment, or it might involve mentoring.

As a parent and professional - who should I contact?

If urgent concerns persist, you should ring:

the police, through the school (or prison authorities) or directly.

999 if there is an immediate threat to life, or ring the police on 101 who would put you in touch with your local officer who has a Prevent remit.

the police anti-terrorist hotline on 0800 789 321. This number is available 24/7 for members of the public to report any suspicious activity. Calls are answered by specially trained counter terrorism officers who make some initial enquiries before passing on details to local counter terrorism officers for further investigation where appropriate.

NSPCC who recently launched a free 24 hour helpline on 0808 800 5000 for parents worried about radicalisation and the impact of terrorism. They have accessed to trained counsellors.

Crimestoppers on 0800 55511 who can be contacted anonymously with information about crime

ConnectFutures: About Us

ConnectFutures aims to build trust and collaboration between civil society, state agencies and the community around extremism and exploitation.

Examples of our work

Training - Face to face training (half day or full day) or e-learning course on Prevent for teachers and other professionals (minimum 30 minutes) and youth led projects.

Free Resources - Crowdfunded anti-extremism 3 min films: Short stories of former far right and Islamist extremists that will be freely accessible online: Explores insights and alternatives. Release Autumn 2016

Research report - Formers and Families of extremists (2015): This study explored individuals' journeys to and from violence, and the role of their friends and families. Far right and Islamist.

More details can be found on the website or contact Zubeda on 0121 214 6208

The article was written by Professor Lynn Davies & Zubeda Limbada of ConnectFutures.

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Worried about extremism and radicalisation?

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An extremist is someone who supports an idea, cause, or set of values so adamantly and without compromise that this person will use their views to justify anything they do or their behaviour. Radicalisation is a process by which an individual or group comes to adopt increasingly extreme political, social, or religious ideals, especially with regard to support for or use of violence.

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If you are a child or young person in crisis, you can call the crisis care line 24 hours a day, seven days a week on 0151 293 3577 but you should only present to Accident Emergency Department if you need medical treatment or are struggling to keep yourself safe in the immediate moment.

GYRO is a collection of youth groups (separated by age) for young people who identify themselves as: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual or Trans*, or who are Questioning their sexuality or gender identity (LGBTQ+)

We also have a sibling group 'THE* (Trans* Health Education) Action Youth' which specifically supports young people around gender identity.

The group provides age-specific weekly (afternoon/evening) drop-ins, where young people can attend to socialise, meet other like-minded people, take part in informal group activities and receive 1-1 support.

Do you work with other family members?

In most cases young people self-refer, and some do so without the knowledge of their family or carers as they may not be open about being LGBTQ+. We occasionally have contact with parents or carers with the young persons consent, or in an emergency, we will say we are calling from YPAS so as not to put a young person at further risk by 'outing' them. Sometimes a parent/carer needs some advice and staff will do their best to assist.

Do you have appointments outside working hours?

Yes, 1-1 appointments can be made with anyone who would like to know more about the service and /or would like to engage with the groups.

There is also the possibility to work 1 to 1 with a young person with the Information, Advice and Guidance (LGBTQ+) worker on practical support around coming out or reaching a goal or exploring terminology. This service may be more suitable for young people who find it difficult to engage in groups or have a specific need they want to meet.

Where do you see young people?

The GYRO drop-in groups take place at YPAS' Liverpool city-centre location:
36 Bolton Street, L3 5LX (It's between the Adelphi Hotel and Lime Street station)

Do you take referrals directly from children/young people, parents/carers?

Yes - YPAS takes self-referrals, which means making your own referral direct to YPAS.

A young person can just turn up to the appropriate group when it is open, no referral required.

If 1:1 support is needed a referral can be put in via YPAS clinical admin or electronically via http://www.ypas.org.uk/make-a-referral/ and a referral can be made by a parent/carer/professional/ appropriate adult. Consent must be obtained from the young person to have the referral made

What kinds of things do you help with?

We offer information, advice and guidance (1:1 support) on a range of issues relevant to LGBTQ+ young people in particular, including coming out, bullying, sexual and emotional concerns, mental health and well-being, trans specific issues. If additional support is required e.g. counselling, we will refer them within YPAS or onto other organisations. GYRO also operates as a safe social space for young LGBTQ+ people to be themselves without fear of persecution. The groups are alcohol and drug-free and always have experienced staff working on them.

GYRO also offers fun activities such as drama, music, games, art, creating zines etc. They also take part in Liverpool Pride each year and attend other external LGBTQ+ youth activities around the country.

If more specific support around gender is needed we have experienced and knowledgeable staff who run a group THE* (Trans* Health Education) Action Youth on a Wednesday afternoon. They can also offer 1 to 1 Information, Advice and Guidance regarding gender identity issues such as accessing appropriate health care.

What will happen at the first appointment?

For gyro drop-in: Most young people self-refer by attending the drop-in. When they access they will receive an induction including some paperwork and an explanation of how the group works and what it can offer. They will be asked if there are any particular issues they may want support with and if they are receiving any support elsewhere.

If the appointment is for IAG: The worker will have to do an initial assessment which may take up to 1.5 hours. This will involve collecting some personal information and finding out how the staff member and young person can work together to achieve some goals.

What will happen after that?

Young people will be informed about the drop-in opening times and planned activities they may take part in.

For IAG: future appointments may be made to continue working on goals on a 1-1 basis.

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If you are a child or young person in crisis, you can call the crisis care line 24 hours a day, seven days a week on 0151 293 3577 but you should only present to Accident Emergency Department if you need medical treatment or are struggling to keep yourself safe in the immediate moment.

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Helpine if you have been a victim of sexual abuse in schools

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Helpine if you have been a victim of sexual abuse in schools

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Helpine for those who have been abused in childhood - Non recent abuse

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Helpine for those who have been abused in childhood - Non recent abuse

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If you were abused in childhood, you may be struggling with difficult feelings and unwanted memories. We’ve got information and advice to help.

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A health or social care worker could be a professional such as a:

counsellor

GP

health care assistant

nurse

occupational therapist

psychiatrist

psychologist

therapist.

All health and social care workers must follow certain standards of care. This includes keeping professional boundaries and treating people with dignity and respect.

Sometimes this doesn't happen, and people receive poor quality care. In some cases, it might be abuse such as:

discriminatory abuse

emotional abuse

financial or material abuse

neglect

physical abuse

psychological abuse

sexual abuse

verbal abuse.

If you have experienced abuse by a health or social care worker and wish to report it, your options include:

To complain about or report abuse, it might help to seek support from an advocate. Contact your local PALS office, Mind Infoline or see our pages on advocacy in mental health for more information.

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A health or social care worker could be a professional such as a: counsellor GP health care assistant nurse occupational therapist psychiatrist psychologist therapist. All health and social care workers must follow certain standards of care. This includes keeping professional boundaries and treating people with dignity and respect.

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Stopping kids getting groomed by drug gangs

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Stopping kids getting groomed by drug gangs

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"I DIDN'T KNOW WHERE I WAS. I HAD TO SEARCH IT ON GOOGLE MAPS TO SEE HOW FAR I WAS FROM HOME"

Drug gangs are grooming kids in Merseyside, North Wales and Lancashire.

Know what to look for and who to help. Start by selecting where you live.

Know what to look for.

You can spot grooming in a number of different ways. Sometimes you may just get a feeling that something is not quite right. The following examples might suggest that someone you know is being groomed:

They go missing from school or home, sometimes for weeks.

They have more than one mobile phone.

They become more secretive, more withdrawn.

They start lying.

Maybe you just feel something doesn't 'feel right' but you can't suss it out.

They have new, unexplained gifts.

Receiving excessive calls or messages from new and unknown 'friends'.

Unexplained amounts of cash.

Getting picked up or dropped by cars by unknown people.

They have unexplained bus or train tickets.

Mixing with older men or women.

Coming home late, or not at all.

Carrying a knife, gun or other weapon - or storing them.

Trying to conceal bruises, marks or injuries.

Self-harm or significant changes in emotional wellbeing.

Know who to help.

Criminal gangs look for vulnerable people they can control. They groom young people under the age of 18, teenagers and young children. You might think you, your friend or the young person in your community is in control of their choices. However, if you see any of the signs mentioned on this website, you or they could be in danger.

Young person's guide.

Child criminal exploitation, grooming and 'County Lines' are difficult subjects to teach. As part of this campaign, we've put together a support pack to help explain the signs of exploitation, the different actions and behaviours we might see in the child abusers who are doing the grooming, and of the victims themselves. The more the young people know, the more they can keep themselves, and their friends, safe.

Download guide

Know how to help.

If you're being pressured to do something you know is harmful. Or if you know someone showing the signs covered on this site. There are people ready to listen and to help.

Know what to look for.

You can spot grooming in a number of different ways. Sometimes you may just get a feeling that something is not quite right. The following examples might suggest that someone you know is being groomed:

They go missing from school or home, sometimes for weeks.

They have more than one mobile phone.

They become more secretive, more withdrawn.

They start lying.

Maybe you just feel something doesn't 'feel right' but you can't suss it out.

They have new, unexplained gifts.

Receiving excessive calls or messages from new and unknown 'friends'.

Unexplained amounts of cash.

Getting picked up or dropped by cars by unknown people.

They have unexplained bus or train tickets.

Mixing with older men or women.

Coming home late, or not at all.

Carrying a knife, gun or other weapon - or storing them.

Trying to conceal bruises, marks or injuries.

Self-harm or significant changes in emotional wellbeing.

Know who to help.

Criminal gangs look for vulnerable people they can control. They groom young people under the age of 18, teenagers and young children. You might think you, your friend or the young person in your community is in control of their choices. However, if you see any of the signs mentioned on this website, you or they could be in danger.

Young person's guide.

Child criminal exploitation, grooming and 'County Lines' are difficult subjects to teach. As part of this campaign, we've put together a support pack to help explain the signs of exploitation, the different actions and behaviours we might see in the child abusers who are doing the grooming, and of the victims themselves. The more the young people know, the more they can keep themselves, and their friends, safe.

Know how to help.

If you're being pressured to do something you know is harmful. Or if you know someone showing the signs covered on this site. There are people ready to listen and to help.

Know what to look for.

You can spot grooming in a number of different ways. Sometimes you may just get a feeling that something is not quite right. The following examples might suggest that someone you know is being groomed:

They go missing from school or home, sometimes for weeks.

They have more than one mobile phone.

They become more secretive, more withdrawn.

They start lying.

Maybe you just feel something doesn't 'feel right' but you can't suss it out.

They have new, unexplained gifts.

Receiving excessive calls or messages from new and unknown 'friends'.

Unexplained amounts of cash.

Getting picked up or dropped by cars by unknown people.

They have unexplained bus or train tickets.

Mixing with older men or women.

Coming home late, or not at all.

Carrying a knife, gun or other weapon - or storing them.

Trying to conceal bruises, marks or injuries.

Self-harm or significant changes in emotional wellbeing.

Know who to help.

Criminal gangs look for vulnerable people they can control. They groom young people under the age of 18, teenagers and young children. You might think you, your friend or the young person in your community is in control of their choices. However, if you see any of the signs mentioned on this website, you or they could be in danger.

Young person's guide.

Child criminal exploitation, grooming and 'County Lines' are difficult subjects to teach. As part of this campaign, we've put together a support pack to help explain the signs of exploitation, the different actions and behaviours we might see in the child abusers who are doing the grooming, and of the victims themselves. The more the young people know, the more they can keep themselves, and their friends, safe.

Know how to help.

If you're being pressured to do something you know is harmful. Or if you know someone showing the signs covered on this site. There are people ready to listen and to help.

National Helplines

If you need advice and support, there are people you can call...

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"I DIDN'T KNOW WHERE I WAS. I HAD TO SEARCH IT ON GOOGLE MAPS TO SEE HOW FAR I WAS FROM HOME" Know what to look for and who to help. Start by selecting where you live. You can spot grooming in a number of different ways.

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Without JavaScript enabled forms will not work.

Child sexual exploitation involves situations, contexts or relationships in which a person under 18 is given something, such as food, accommodation, drugs, alcohol, cigarettes, affection, gifts or money in return for performing sexual activities or having sexual activities performed on them. It can also involve violence, coercion and intimidation, with threats of physical harm or humiliation.

Common patterns

In all cases of child sexual exploitation (CSE), the person exploiting the child or young person is able to create the impression of authority over them in some form. This could be because of their age, gender, intellect, physical strength or economic situation.

Sexual exploitation of children can start through the use of technology, without them immediately realising. For example, they might be persuaded to post images on the internet or via mobile phone without immediate payment or personal gain.

Violence, coercion and intimidation are common, with a particular vulnerability of the child or young person being used against them. This can make the young person feel as though they have no choice but to continue the relationship.

Warning signs

Signs of a child or young person being in an exploitative relationship can vary. Some examples are:

going missing from home or care

physical injuries

misuse of drugs or alcohol

involvement in offending

repeat sexually-transmitted infections, pregnancies or terminations

absenteeism from school

deterioration in physical appearance

evidence of online sexual bullying

evidence of vulnerability on social networking sites

emotional distance from family members

receiving gifts from unknown sources

recruiting others into exploitative situations

poor mental health

self-harming

thinking about or attempting suicide

If you suspect a person of carrying out child sexual exploitation, or think someone you know has been a victim, or may be soon, visit our How to report possible child abuse page or call our non-emergency number, 101. If you're deaf or hard of hearing, use our textphone service on 18001 101.

If someone is in immediate danger of harm, please call 999 now. If you're deaf or hard of hearing, use our textphone service 18000 or text us on 999 if you've pre-registered with the emergencySMS service.

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Without JavaScript enabled forms will not work. Child sexual exploitation involves situations, contexts or relationships in which a person under 18 is given something, such as food, accommodation, drugs, alcohol, cigarettes, affection, gifts or money in return for performing sexual activities or having sexual activities performed on them.

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Helpine for those who have been abused in childhood - Non recent abuse

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Helpine for those who have been abused in childhood - Non recent abuse

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If you were abused in childhood, you may be struggling with difficult feelings and unwanted memories. We’ve got information and advice to help.

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What is OCD?

Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is a type of anxiety disorder. It can be serious, but it is treatable.

People with OCD have repeating thoughts, images or feelings that are distressing. These are sometimes known as 'obsessions' or 'obsessive thoughts'. Sometimes when our mind is filled with very upsetting thoughts, we can try to take actions that will bring us relief and make the thoughts go away. We might start to believe that these actions will get rid of our anxiety or make these thoughts go away. Sometimes having rituals that calm us down can be really helpful. But sometimes these rituals or habits become 'compulsions', meaning that we think we have to do them. We might start to believe that if we don't do them, something bad will happen to us, or to the people around us.

It's important to realise that with OCD, often our compulsive habits or rituals end up making us feel worse. This is because once the ritual is finished, anxious thoughts come rushing back again, sometimes even more extreme. This is how some people get trapped in a cycle of doing the same action again and again, feeling unable to stop.

OCD rituals can be obvious to other people (like checking if doors are locked) or they can happen inside your head (like counting things, or trying to counteract negative thoughts with positive ones).

There is a misconception that 'being OCD' is just about being tidy and ordered. This is not true. OCD thoughts can come in all shapes and sizes and involve lots of different types of habits and rituals. They often revolve around things like danger, dirt and contamination, or worries around sexuality or religion. Some people feel guilty, or even ashamed of their thoughts.

The symptoms of OCD

You might feel:

your mind being 'invaded' by horrible thoughts repeatedly

scared, disgusted, guilty, tearful, doubtful or depressed

a powerful urge to do something to stop the feelings

temporary relief after rituals

a need to ask for reassurance or get people to check things for you

Just because you experience one or more of these symptoms, it doesn't mean you're definitely affected by OCD. It's important to talk to your GP to get more help.

Things that can really help

If obsessive thoughts and habits start to take over your life, or cause you physical difficulties or harm, then there are things you can do.

1. Notice what is going on
It is important to recognise when your behaviour is making you feel worse. Knowing that what you are doing is increasing your anxiety, rather than helping it, is the first step to overcoming it.

2. Talk to someone you trust
Talking about how you feel is the first step towards getting better. It might be difficult to explain, but people who care about you will want to support you. You could try talking to a relative, teacher, friend, counsellor or helpline.

Let the people know what you find helpful. Whether you just want someone to listen, or you need someone to help distract you when you're feeling anxious, it's ok to say what you need.

If you're not sure who to talk to, take a look at our guide to support and the organisations listed at the end of this page.

3. Find a distraction that works for you
Whenever you feel like you are getting anxious, or about to do something you don't want to do, find a distraction. You could try:

listening to music

texting a friend

going for a walk

4. Go to see your GP
It's important not to try and manage alone, as OCD normally needs treatment to get better. Your doctor will be able to help you get that treatment. They may offer to refer you to Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS), an expert or a psychiatrist who can help you.

Others like you share their tips and advice on OCD:

There are many other people who go through the same situation. Even though your family and friends may not understand to the fullest, they're always there for you and will try their best to support you.

OCD is misunderstood frequently and is difficult to deal with. But it's completely beatable with good therapy and sometimes, medication.

Know that your illness does not define you. Make the choice to counteract it and know you're worthy of a life without it.

Try your best to talk to someone you can rely on. It's easier said than done (I know), but once you find that person - no matter who it is to confide in, you won't regret it.

It's okay. There's no need to worry, take a deep breath. Your family is safe, you're safe, and your friends are safe. Nothing is going to happen, sit down and relax.

Those negative thoughts aren't real, it's hard to control them but ignore them. Your body is just trying to help.

It's so hard to deal with intrusive thoughts, but I promise they aren't real. Your mind tries to help you feel comfort and safety with compulsions to but you won't find peace in that. It will get better, try your hardest to fight back.

Treating OCD

You might be offered cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) using a technique called exposure response prevention (ERP), which helps you feel less upset by your thoughts. You might also be offered other types of psychological therapy such as counselling or family therapy, and you might be given support from specialist Mental Health Nurses, Occupational Therapists and Art Therapists working in CAMHS.

There are medications that can help too, e.g. antidepressants.

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Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is a type of anxiety disorder. It can be serious, but it is treatable. People with OCD have repeating thoughts, images or feelings that are distressing. These are sometimes known as 'obsessions' or 'obsessive thoughts'.

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