Abuse

Abuse can take many forms and people don’t always recognise that they are being abused. It is when somebody has a kind of power over you and takes advantage of that power.

Abuse can be physical, sexual, verbal/emotional or in the form of neglect. Abusers can include parents, uncles, aunts, grandparents, teachers, family friends, and brothers and sisters.

If you have been abused you may not have told anyone because of feelings of guilt, fear or love BUT you have a right to be safe and you shouldn’t have to deal with abuse on your own.

If you want to talk to somebody confidentially without it going any further there are helplines you can ring.

You can also contact your local Social Services or Health and Social Care department. It may not be possible to keep things confidential if you or others are at risk.

Contacts and Helplines

Childline will listen to you, help you to come to terms with what has happened and find ways of stopping it. Calls are confidential.
Tel: 0800 1111

NSPCC Helpline- Worried about a child call:
Tel: 0808 800 5000

Leicester City Council Health and Social Care
Tel: 0116 252 7004

County Social Services Departments

Blaby, Oadby & Wigston
Tel: 0116 278 7111

Charnwood
Tel: 01509 266 641

Harborough
Tel: 01858 465 331

Hinckley
Tel: 01455 636 964

Melton
Tel: 01664 564 698

NW Leics
Tel: 01530 275 200

Last Updated: 16-Jun-2009