My mum/ dad/ carer is violent - what can I do about it?

When adults you live with are violent or abuse each other it can make you feel scared and alone.

People in your family will try to keep what’s going on a secret and your parents or carer might think that you don’t know it is happening. The person being hurt is probably trying to protect you.

You are never to blame for what’s going on. You and the rest of your family have the right to feel safe and happy at home.

What can you do?

Try calling Helplines like Childline 0800 1111 and the NSPCC 0808 800 5000, they get lots of calls from young people about domestic abuse. They will listen to you and they understand what is happening at home.

Hull Women’s Aid offers advice and support to women and children suffering abuse in the home. Call (01482) 446099 if you want to speak to someone. You can have a look at the Women's Aid website (link opens in a new window). Remember you can hide the web page if you want to.

Hull Women’s Aid have ‘refuges’ - secret houses where women escaping domestic abuse can stay. Find out what a 'refuge’ can be like here (link opens in a new window). 

You can call the 24 Hour Domestic Violence Helpline on 0808 2000 247 or in an emergency call the police on 999.

Call Hull Victim Support on (01482) 211749 if you’re worried about what’s going on at home. They can help you if it’s happening now or if it happened in the past and you want to talk to someone about it.

There are five family resource centres in Hull that help families live together better.  Tell your parent or carer or call (01482) 300 300 to find out which is your nearest centre.

I’m too scared to tell anyone but want it to stop, what should I do?

You might be worried that if you tell people your family might get split up and you might get blamed. Try not to worry about this. Remember that what is happening is not your fault.

You may feel ashamed about what is happening and wish your family was more like your mates families. But it does happen in lots of families and there are people who can help you.

Tell another person in your family or someone outside the family about what is happening at home. If you want, you could ask them to talk to your parent for you.

Domestic abuse happens to lots of families who do get through it. It takes time for people who have been hurt and scared by domestic abuse to feel safe and happy again, but they can.