What is Domestic Abuse?
Domestic abuse is when someone you live with, like a parent or a partner, hurts, scares, or tries to control another person in your home. Abuse can happen in different ways:
- Physical: Hitting, kicking, punching or pushing them.
- Emotional: Harming them emotionally by making them feel bad about themselves, or stopping them doing things they want to do.
- Financial: Harming them financially by taking money away from them or not letting them work.
- Sexual: Harming them sexually by touching them against their will.
If you think domestic abuse is happening in your home, it’s important to stay safe. Find a safe place, call 999 and ask for the police.
How can we help?
We know this can be really scary and confusing. We want you to feel safe talking to us. What you tell us is private, but we might have to share it if we think you or another child is in danger. We will explain this to you if it happens.
Here’s how we can help:
- Listen to You: We will believe you and try to understand what you’re going through.
- Help Your Mum: We will work to keep you and your mum safe.
- Provide a Safe Place: If you and your mum need somewhere safe to stay, we can help with that.
We can also:
- Support Your Feelings: Help you talk about your feelings and understand them better.
- School Support: Arrange for someone to support you at school.
- Meet Others: Help you meet other young people who have similar experiences.
- Flexible Meetings: Meet with you once, weekly, or however often you need.
How to Get in Touch with Us
To talk to a friendly person who knows what you’re going through and can give you advice, call us on 0131 315 8116 or email cyp@edinwomensaid.co.uk.
There’s also a free 24-hour Scottish Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0800 027 1234 or you can phone ChildLine on 0800 1111.
Experiencing Abuse in Your Own Relationship?
Abuse can happen in any relationship, no matter how old you are or who you are with. If you think this might be happening to you, please contact us.
You can find more support and information about LGBTQ+ relationships from LGBT Youth Scotland, our national charity for LGBTQ+ young people.