Sex, dating and family
Someone is hurting me. What do I do?
Talk to someone now
If you're thinking about hurting yourself, you don't feel safe, or someone is hurting you, please talk to a real person now.
Not safe, or thinking about hurting yourself?Get help nowAll countries
New Zealand
Oranga Tamariki 0508 326 459
If a child or teenager is being hurt or isn't safe at home. From overseas +64 9 912 3820. Any time.
Australia
United Kingdom
Ireland
United States
Canada
Germany
Hilfetelefon Sexueller Missbrauch 0800 22 55 530
Sexual abuse, for those affected and people worried about a child. Mon, Wed, Fri 9am to 2pm; Tue, Thu 3pm to 8pm.
Austria
Rat auf Draht 147
For children and young people, free and anonymous. Also if someone threatens to share your pictures. Any time.
Kindernotruf 0800 567 567
Free and anonymous, for children and young people in trouble. Any time.
Switzerland
Pro Juventute 147
For children and young people. Also WhatsApp and chat at 147.ch, and if someone threatens to share your pictures. Any time.
Somewhere else? Call your local emergency number, or find a free helpline for your country at findahelpline.com.
Short answer
Tell a trusted adult or call a helpline today. What is happening is not your fault, and God doesn't want you in danger.
If someone is hitting you, threatening you, touching you in ways that aren't okay or making you afraid, at home, at church or anywhere else, please tell someone now: a teacher, school counsellor, doctor, relative, pastor or the police. If you are in danger right now, call the emergency number.
If the person hurting you is someone you would normally tell, like a parent, relative, leader or pastor, tell someone outside: a teacher, your school counsellor, a doctor, another safe adult, or a child protection line. You can call without giving your name.
It is not your fault. Abusers often make people feel guilty, or say nobody will believe them. That is a lie. The right people will believe you. Keep telling until someone helps.
God sees what is happening, and He is against it. He is a refuge for the oppressed and close to the brokenhearted. Forgiving someone does not mean staying where they can hurt you, and it never means keeping it secret.
You are precious to God. You deserve to be safe.
My verses
The LORD is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.
You have heard, O LORD, the desire of the humble; You will strengthen their hearts. You will incline Your ear, to vindicate the fatherless and oppressed, that the men of the earth may strike terror no more.
The LORD is near to the brokenhearted; He saves the contrite in spirit.
Open your mouth for those with no voice, for the cause of all the dispossessed. Open your mouth, judge righteously, and defend the cause of the poor and needy.