If a child is in danger now
In an emergency, always call 999.
Call 999 if you think a child is in immediate danger.
If you’re worried about a child but you’re not sure what to do, you can call the NSPCC helpline for advice, on 0808 800 5000.
If you’re a child or young person
Childline offers free, confidential advice and support, whatever your worry. You can call 0800 1111. You don’t have to tell us your name to get help from them.
What is child abuse?
Child abuse is when someone harms a child, or puts them at risk of harm. A child is anyone under 18. It can be physical, sexual or emotional abuse, or neglect.
It can happen at home, online, or in places like schools and clubs. It’s often someone the child knows.
It’s never a child’s fault.
If you’re worried about a child
There’s no single sign. For more on how young people might react, read Supporting young people.
You don’t need to be sure to get advice. You can:
- call the NSPCC helpline on 0808 800 5000
- report your concern to your local council’s children’s services through GOV.UK’s “report child abuse” service
- call the police on 101, or 999 if a child is in danger
If a child tells you what’s happened to them, listen calmly. Let them know you believe them, and that it’s not their fault.
If someone abused you as a child
Abuse that an adult went through as a child, under the age of 18, is sometimes called non-recent abuse. It’s never too late to get support. You can get our support at any age, even if it happened a long time ago.
It’s normal to feel anxious about telling someone. You can go at your own pace. You don’t need to have reported anything to the police. If you’d like to report it, that’s your choice, and we can support you.
NAPAC offers free, confidential support for adults who were abused as children. You can call them on 0808 801 0331.
If it’s happening to you now
You don’t have to deal with this alone. If you’re in danger, call 999.
You can talk to Childline on 0800 1111. You can also talk to one of our Support Workers. Our Young Londoners’ Victim Service supports young people aged 4 to 17.
Reporting child abuse
It’s your choice whether to report abuse that happened to you. If you’re worried about a child, you can report your concern.
How we can help
Our Support Workers can talk with you about what’s happened and how it’s affecting you. We can help you think through your options, make a plan to stay safe, and find other support.
Our support is free and confidential. You don’t need to have reported anything to the police.
Our services
Young Londoners’ Victim Service: young people aged 4 to 17, and people aged 18 to 21 if it suits them better
Adult Service: people aged 18 and over
If you’re supporting a child or young person, read Supporting young people. You can contact us too, if you’d like advice.
Other organisations that can help
- NSPCC, if you’re worried about a child: 0808 800 5000
- Childline, for children and young people: 0800 1111
- NAPAC, for adults who were abused as children: 0808 801 0331
- your local council’s children’s services
If you’re finding things hard, read Looking after your wellbeing after crime.
My Support Space:
My Support Space is a free and confidential online resource. It can help if you’re finding things hard after crime.
You can use it on our website, or by downloading the app.
It includes guides, self-help tools, videos and activities. These can help you make sense of your experience and how you’re feeling. They can also help you move forward.
Learn more about how we can support you.
View our frequently asked questionsContact us
You can contact us in three ways. Contact us today for free and confidential support.
0808 168 9291
00:00 – 00:00, Mon – Sun.
