Sexual abuse is when someone is forced to do sexual things they don’t want to do. Sexual abuse could happen in many different ways; it could be someone touching body parts that the other person may not want them to touch, or making the other person touch them. It could be someone asking to be shown body parts, either in person or on a webcam or in photos. It’s any kind of sexual behaviour that someone doesn’t want to do that they are being made to do.
If you feel like these things are happening to you, it is very important to talk to someone who can help you. Although it can be very hard or awkward to talk about these kinds of things, you do not have to worry about getting in trouble for it, because being sexually abused is never your fault.
Sexual abuse is very serious, so if you feel like you are not safe, you can go to the police for help as well as having help from social services and support from other organisations.
The Runaway Helpline can only provide services to children and young people within the United Kingdom, and information and advice on this site relates to the UK only.
I understand