Should I tell if it's happening to me?

If you are in immediate danger, call the police!

• What if I just want to talk?
• Should I tell if I am being abused or neglected?
• Who should I tell?
• Should I tell if I am abusing or hurting someone?
• Who will know if I tell?
• What happens if I tell?

See also:

• What happens after I tell?

What if I just want to talk?

Talking about abuse can be difficult. Many people feel ashamed or are afraid their family and friends will not believe them. Remember — nothing you do gives anyone the right to abuse you. There is no excuse for abuse. It is not your fault.

There are a number of places where children, teens, and people with questions about child abuse and suspected child abuse can call:

• Helpline (310-1234)
• Kids Help Phone (1-800-668-6868)
• Take a Stand (BC) website has two options
  • Youth Against Violence Line (1-800-680-4264)
  • email

Should I tell if I am being abused or neglected?

• Yes, you should tell! No child or youth should be abused or neglected
• Families who are struggling need help to stop neglect or abuse
• Everyone has a responsibility to stop abuse or neglect
• If you tell a teacher or another adult that you are being abused or neglected, that person should call the Ministry of Children and Family Development.
• You can call the Ministry of Children and Family Development yourself (you can locate your local district office listed in the blue pages of your phone book).
• If you call the Helpline:
  • Information about the caller is confidential.
  • You do not have to give your name.
  • No one will be told that you called.
• Parents want to protect their children. If they do not want to, or cannot, then someone else, like the Ministry will step in.

Who should I tell?

You should tell someone you trust:

• priest or minister
• relatives (like your parents, grandparents, aunt or uncle)
  
• teacher (or a school counsellor)
  
• friends (or your friends' parents)
  
• call the Helpline for Children at 310-1234
  
• police (call 911 if it's an emergency).

When you tell an adult that you've been abused (especially sexually or physically), the law says that that person must tell a child protection worker or a police officer.

Youth and kids have a right to be protected from abuse; adults have the responsibility to ensure youth and kids are protected.

If the person you tell does not protect you, tell someone else.

• Yes, you should tell. Tell your family.
  
• What you are doing is hurting someone. It is also hurting yourself.
  
• If you call the Helpline or the Ministry (you can locate your local district office listed in the blue pages of your phone book), that information will not be kept secret. Because physical and sexual abuse can be considered a crime, the police or child protection worker (or both) may be involved. The police would be involved as well as child protection staff.
  
• The important things are to stop and get help, both for the person you have hurt and for yourself.

Who will know if I tell?

• If you call the Helpline:
  • Information about the caller is confidential.
  • You do not have to give your name.
  • No one will be told that you called.
• If you call the Helpline or the Ministry to report physical or sexual abuse, that information can NOT be kept a secret because abuse is against the law. The police will be involved, as well as child protection staff.

• A child protection worker begins the "intake" process by
  • gathering the information from you
  • assessing the information
  • determining if an investigation is required.
• If an investigation is required, the child protection worker then:
  • interviews people, who may be able to provide additional information; you may need to be interviewed
  • determines if you need protection
  • takes the appropriate steps to ensure your safety
• You will be kept up-to-date on what is happening

A flowchart is available, that provides an overview of what happens if you tell.