Worried about a Child?

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If a child is at immediate risk of harm you should call the police on 999 (or your local equivalent). Please don't assume that someone else will take action.

If a child is in  danger call the police immediately on 999. If you are worried about a child or about someone’s behaviour towards a child, you can contact:

• Local Police. If a child is in immediate danger, call 999. If not, all police forces have other ways in which you can get in touch, including using 101 or online reporting.
• Children’s Social Services. You can also get in touch with your local Children’s Services and contact details will be found online or through local telephone directories.
• NCA-CEOP Command (Child Exploitation and Online Protection). CEOP is part of the National Crime Agency, the UK’s national police agency, particularly tackling offenders who use online technology to abuse children. If you are worried about someone’s behaviour towards a child online, you can report this at www.ceop.police.uk
• Contact the NSPCC Helpline – 0808 800 5000. The NSPCC is the UK’s leading charity dedicated to stopping child abuse. You can email them at help@nspcc.org.uk

If you are concerned that a child is being abused it is important to act. Where possible you should contact the police or local health services.

In some places people do not trust the police to prioritise the needs or safety of the child, which is something you should consider. It could be safer for the child to report to a suitable NGO with child protection services or take their advice on how to act in the best interests of the child. You can find details of over 178 child helplines in more than 146 countries at www.childhelplineinternational.org

If the abuse you suspect was committed online you can report it to the NCMEC CyberTipline at https://report.cybertip.org regardless of where you are in the world.

If a child or young person is in need of urgent medical attention, you should arrange this immediately by calling 999 (or your local equivalent).

PAPYRUS is a UK charity dedicated to preventing young suicide and self harm. www.papyrus-uk.org has a variety of information to help those who are concerned about a child or young person. You can speak to their HOPELINE by calling 0800 068 4141 in the UK.

Child sexual abuse material (sexually exploitative material or imagery of anyone under the age of 18) is harmful everywhere and illegal in most countries.

You should never search for child sexual abuse material online, even if you think you might be helping the police or child protection agencies. If you do know of any child sexual abuse material online you can report to one of the INHOPE network of hotline. Find out more at www.inhope.org or report here

Some people use social media or messaging apps to exploit, bully or harass people. If you want to block or report someone on a social media platform there is some advice here

If you are worried about your own sexual thoughts, feelings or behaviour towards children you should act. This is important for the wellbeing of children and your own. Stop it Now! is a UK charity which helps people worried about their own sexual thoughts, feelings or behaviour towards children.

Stop it Now! offers anonymous and confidential help and support to assist people to control their thoughts and behaviours. There is a free, anonymous and confidential helpline on 0808 1000 900 for advice, support and information. You can find out more at www.stopitnow.org.uk