Worried? Need help?
Need help right now?
Need help right away – call 999. Can’t talk – tap 55 on your phone, or cough/sigh etc and the police will know you need help and track your locations.
In a bar/hotel/public space and need help – you can “ask for Angela” – which will indicate to members of staff that you are in danger and they will alert the authorities.
Not sure where you are? Use apps like “What3words” to share your precise location.
Want to report a crime?
You can pass on information to Fearless about any crime via the online form or by calling Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
They wont ask who you are, or how you know about the crime, they just want to give you a safe place to give any information you may have, 100% anonymously.
Remember, no matter how small the detail, it could be the missing puzzle piece to solving a crime. Your information can make a real difference.
Worried? Need someone to talk to?
If you have a trusted adult or close friend that you know, you might want to talk to them about what you’re going through. It’s important to remember that you are not alone in this and there is always someone who can help you. Even if you are worried you might get into trouble; the most important thing is for you to keep safe. Some of the people you are talk to are:
- your parent or carer
- another member of your family
- a teacher, or someone you trust at school
- your doctor
- a professional you trust
- a counsellor
- a religious leader
Remember, however difficult it is, you will probably feel better just for talking about your feelings, and it is important that you are not struggling on your own to cope.
If you are not sure how to start the conversation, the best thing is to be honest; for example, you could say, “I want to tell you something but I don’t know how …” or “ I want to tell you something but I’m worried I might get into trouble…” an adult should understand that you are about to say something important, and that it’s not an easy thing for you to do.
Top tips to help talk to someone:
- Write down some of the key points you want to say – you could even write it as a letter that you could share.
- Have a think about what you would like to get out of telling someone? Do you want some actions to come out of it, or do you just need someone to listen?
- Remember if you are talking to professional (like a teacher or support worker) and they are concerned about you safety, they may have to share the information with other professionals. They will tell you if they need to do this – don’t be put off by it – it’s all done to help keep you safe.
National offers of help:
If you can’t face talking to someone face to face, there are lots of National organisations you can talk to over the phone, via messenger or through online chat.
| Phone | Website | Chat | |
| Childline Free, confidential service where you can talk about anything you want | 0800 1111 free 24/7 | Childline | Childline | 1:2:1 Chats online. |
| Shout: Shout is a 24/7 text service available for anyone in crisis anytime, anywhere. It’s a place to go if you’re struggling to cope and you need immediate help. | Text: 85258 | Free, 24/7 mental health text support in the UK | Shout 85258 (giveusashout.org) | |
| The Mix Info and support for the under 25s for all kinds of issues |  0808 808 4994 | The Mix – Essential support for under 25s @TheMixUK | Crisis messenger: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by texting THEMIX to 85258. 1:2:1 chat: 7 days a week from 4pm to 11pm |
| Young Minds: Mental health support | Text YM to 85258 24/7 | YoungMinds | Mental Health Charity For Children And Young People | YoungMinds | |
| Runaway Helpline: | Call or text for free on 116000 | Homepage – Runaway Helpline @runawayhelpline | |
| Stop It Now: | 0808 1000 900 | Contact the Stop It Now! child sexual abuse helpline – Stop It Now | Mondays: 9am – 12pm Wednesdays: 1pm – 4pm and 6pm – 9pm Fridays: 9am – 12pm |
| Frank: Honest information about drugs. |  PhoneCall 0300 123 6600 24/7 | Honest information about drugs | FRANK (talktofrank.com) | Text 82111 Text a question and FRANK will text you back. |
| CEOP: Are you worried about online sexual abuse or the way someone has been communicating with you online? | CEOP Safety Centre – to make a report | ||
| Fearless: Information and advice about youth crime.100% anonymous crime reporting | Anonymous – Fearless | ||
| Modern Slavery Helpline: We provide information, advice and guidance about any modern slavery issue | 08000 121 700 | Modern Slavery Helpline @unseen | |
| Shore A safe space for teenagers worried about sexual behaviour Are you worried about your own or someone else’s sexual thoughts, feelings or actions? We can help. Shore has anonymous advice and support to help you or someone you know manage worrying thoughts and learn more about living safely both online and offline. All our services are anonymous, which means you don’t have to say who you are. | Shore | email: The Lucy Faithfull Foundation – Shore (shorespace.org.uk) You can send us an email at any time and one of our experts will email you back within 5-7 working days. When you write to us, your email address will be encrypted which means we will never see it. Our reply is sent directly back to your inbox. chat: anonymous chat available on the webpage Tuesday and Thursday 2pm – 4:30pm | |
| Report Remove | Childline Nude image online – we can take it down. | Report Remove | Childline – Fill in the online form |
Local offers of help:
Supporting Victims can provide support for anyone affected by crime, whether reported or not, including victims, bereaved relatives, parents or guardians of victims under 18 and members of staff where a business has been a victim of crime.
If you are under 18 and feel unsafe, embarrassed or uncomfortable about something, we will listen to you and support you.
You may be worried about what is going on with someone in your family or someone in authority, or you want to protect a family member.
Whatever you are worried about, we are here to listen and help – whenever you feel ready.
You may feel alone and that no-one can help, but just talking to someone here about what you are going through will make you realise that there are people on your side who will support you and help you understand what your options are.
Not sure what to feel about what you’re feeling? Life can sometimes feel complicated and it may be hard to make sense of how you are feeling. But you are not alone and there are a range of different options to help provide the right support for you in North Yorkshire. The Go-To is here to help you find the right help and support to help you stay well, whatever is going on in your life.
Locally in North Yorkshire you can access support through Compass Phoenix and their ‘BUZZ US’ service: https://www.compass-uk.org/services/compass-phoenix/
The Children’s Society Hand in Hand Project is running in North Yorkshire for young people who are experiencing or are at risk of criminal and/or sexual exploitation.
Dedicated specialist workers provide direct support to enable young people to recognise themselves as victims, increase resilience and make informed choices to lower the risk and/or stop the risk of exploitation increasing.
To find out more about the service: Click on their website here.
North Yorkshire based drug and alcohol support service for young people. This service is for you if:
- Any young person who lives in North Yorkshire aged 10 -19 and up to 24 with SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disability)
- Need support around drugs and alcohol
Information about further local offers of help in North Yorkshire can be accessed here:
Change Direction:
Provided by North Yorkshire Youth, the Change Direction Young People’s Diversion scheme goal is to prevent or intervene early to divert young people from the criminal justice process by addressing the underlying causes of their offending behaviour. The overall aims of the Change Direction Young People’s Diversion scheme are to:
- Reduce the number of first time entrants into the Criminal Justice System
- Reduce re-offending and antisocial behaviour
- Assess the needs of those on the scheme across the criminogenic pathways and evidence positive progress to address those needs
The Change Direction Diversion scheme works with young people aged 10-17, to offer trauma-informed support to address underlying causes of offending. Each individual will receive a tailored support package, the intensiveness of which will be responsive to their assessed needs. A dedicated keyworker will be allocated who will provide direct interventions, advocate and signpost into specialist agencies where necessary.
The Change Direction Young People’s Diversion scheme is for 10-17 year olds who may be at risk of entering the Criminal Justice System or are known to North Yorkshire Police. The scheme will engage with young people, at an early stage before criminal behaviour becomes habitual, to improve circumstances for both the young person and the local community. The young person’s engagement with the Change Direction scheme will be on a voluntary basis. The scheme is open to those who are not offending or have been involved in antisocial behaviour or committed very low level offences. Various agencies may be working with young people at this stage, and any agency can refer to the scheme. To refer, click on the link below. You will be required to enter your email address and then you will be sent an email, click on the appropriate link for the Crossroads Adult Diversion scheme. Once submitted, the referral form will go directly to North Yorkshire Youth who will then make contact with the individual to arrange an appointment: https://firstlive.orcuma.com/nyp. Alternatively you can request a referral form from Clare Yates, Youth Development Manager at clare@nyy.org.uk. Referrals are welcome from a range of agencies including schools, colleges, Community Safety Hubs and North Yorkshire Police; as well as parents/guardians.
I’m worried about my friend:
If you are worried about a friend and some of the things they may be getting up to, it can be a difficult time. Maybe you have started to notice some differences to them and their behaviour that you are worried about? (Find out more about the signs here.)
If you are worried, it really important to speak to someone you trust – like a teacher or a member of your family to share your worries. You are not ‘grassing them up’ and not getting them into trouble, but sharing your concerns which could help keep them safe.
Remember if a mate is being exploited they are being groomed by another person. Part of that process is to cut them off from the people that really care about them (like you), so if a mate becomes distant, don’t think it’s your fault. Ask yourself who has come into their life (either face to face or online)?
If a mate is being distant or pushing you away it can feel really hurtful and upsetting. Try to remember that they may be doing this because they are being tricked into it by someone grooming them and it’s not their fault. Be there for them if and when they need you (you’d want the same if it was the other way round).
Talk to them. If you are worried about a mate, tell them. You could share some of the key safety messages on here and if they are going somewhere encourage them to share where they are going. Don’t ever put yourself in a dangerous situation to help them– talk to any trusted adult who can help or if they are in immediate danger contact the police.
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