You should not get in the middle of a fight between your parents or other adults, even if they ask you for help. This will not make the fighting stop, and you may get hurt.

If you want to help the abused person you can:

Dial 999
Tips for dialling 999:
If you or an adult are in a dangerous situation and you can phone the number but cannot speak, the police will trace the call and visit the home immediately to check on everyone. You should leave the phone connected for as long as you can.

If you are able to talk on the phone, be ready to give your full name, address street/town/county/postcode, your full telephone number including dialling code.
Dialling 999 will reach police, fire department or ambulance and you will be asked which service you want.
Try to remain calm.
Do not hang up the phone until the operator tells you to.

Asking for help
Asking for help does not mean that you are going to get into trouble, but if you do get into trouble call the police again or speak to an adult that you trust; trusted adults could be a teacher at school, youth worker, doctor, family friend or other family member such as auntie, uncle or grandparent.

Don’t blame yourself
As a child living in a home with domestic violence it’s easy to think that what is happening is your fault. You might think “If I were quieter, better at school, tidier at home”, and so on; but living there, you must know that no matter how hard you try the violence does not stop between the adults. This is because you are not the problem.
If the abused person or the abuser at some time has to leave the home for safety reasons, remember that this is not your fault. The abuser in your home has a problem. This person chooses to be violent or controlling. There is help for abusers. This can be offered to them after the police have been called or through counselling. The abuser needs to learn that he/she does not have the right to use violence, threats or intimidation to get what they want.

For more help, to make a safety plan, or to talk to someone please check the links section on this site.

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