Young people – staying safe

A bully is someone who makes you feel scared or unsafe, or gets you to do things you don't want to do. 

Types of bullying

Bullying can affect anyone and can come in many forms and can include any of the following:

• verbal bullying (or name calling)
• racial bullying
• physical bullying
• homophobic bullying
• religious or faith bullying
• cyber bullying (online bullying)
• bullying on social networks

• find out more about the different types of bullying

Bullying can affect your:

• confidence
• self-esteem
• ability to concentrate at school

It may also make you:

• feel anxious or depressed
• want to isolate and withdraw yourself from friends or family
• not want to go to school
• feel like having thoughts of harming yourself or others 

Bullying is unacceptable 

• If you feel you’re being bullied tell an adult, friend or teacher you trust.
• Remember there are people out there who care and can help make it stop.

Get further help and advice

You can find useful information and advice about bullying and how you can seek help and support by visiting the following websites:

• www.familylives.org.uk ( bullying at school)
• www.childline.org.uk (bullying, abuse, safety and the law)

There can be a lot of pressure to experiment with alcohol or to take drugs when you’re young. 

Drugs and alcohol can impact your life in many ways including:

• relationships
• finances 
• sleep 
• mental health 
• work or education
• health and wellbeing

Are you worried about your use or someone close to you?

You can access support with Insight Lewisham, who give advice and support to under 25s who are impacted by or living with drug and alcohol issues. This service is open to young people living in the borough of Lewisham, as well as family, friends and carers who are affected the drug and alcohol use. 

Some people feel they need to carry a weapon to protect themselves from gangs even if they have no intention of ever using it. However, statistics show that far from giving protection, by carrying a knife you are much more likely to be stabbed yourself.

If you carry a knife, you are putting your life and your future in danger. Carrying a weapon to protect yourself is still a crime and can carry a prison sentence of up to four years even if you don’t use it.

It is illegal to:

• carry a knife
• threaten someone with a knife
• commit a crime with the use of a weapon – like a robbery
• commit a crime by pretending you have a real knife

Are you worried about gang culture or knife crime?

• contact a counsellor in confidence at Childline or call 0800 1111 at any time
• speak to an adult you trust like a parent, youth worker or other family member
• get in touch with Gangsline  
• report non-urgent crime anonymously (if you or someone you know is in serious danger, you should dial 999 for urgent help). 

What you share, text or upload on social networks or on the internet can affect your future, your family or your relationships – or someone else’s – for a very long time.

Sexting

Sexting is when someone sends or receives a sexually explicit text, image or video. This includes sending ‘nude pics’, ‘rude pics’ or ‘nude selfies. If someone is pressurising you to send them nude pics - this is a form of abuse, even if you're in a relationship with them.

The facts about sharing explicit content

Sharing nude pics or videos posted online or on social networks of someone under the age of 18 is against the law.

It doesn't matter if:

• someone else gave you permission
• someone else sent it to you
• you’ve never met them before
• you are under 18 too
• it’s a selfie

Think before you share.

You need to remember that what you share online can be seen by lots of people and might stay online forever.

Remember:

• be safe
  
• be respected for the right reasons
  
• respect others too

Are you worried about something that's been shared?

If you’re worried about something you’ve shared, or something that has been shared about you, tell an adult you trust so they can take action to stop the image or video being shared further.

You could also:

• download the free and secure For Me app from Childline
• find out how to report pictures, videos and comments to social media sites

Further advice

• five questions you should ask yourself before you post

• get support from other young people on Childline's message boards

Being in a good relationship is one where you are valued and are not afraid, not told what to do and not hit or harmed in any way.

What is relationship abuse?

Relationship abuse can happen to anyone, regardless of age, sexual orientation or gender. It is never ok. Abuse doesn’t have to be physical (e.g. hitting, slapping, kicking or pushing) it can also be emotional (putting you down verbally, getting angry quickly, being controlling and threatening, checking your phone etc). This can affect your self-esteem and confidence and make you feel scared and vulnerable. 

Do you need help?

• Athena Lewisham, run by Refuge
  
• lewishamvawg@refuge.org.uk
• Freephone 0800 112 4052

The Athena service is for women and girls aged 13 and over and boys aged 16 and over, including those who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, or are unsure of their sexuality.  
In an emergency, always dial 999.