How the Law on abuse works

IF YOU TELL.....

You may find it difficult to tell. Sometimes you may think that you will not be believed, that it is your fault or be worried about the consequences. You may however be able to talk to another member of the family who will be able to protect you and help you. Some young people may tell a teacher or another adult they can trust.

Under our law some adults, like teachers or youth workers, must pass the information onto the police or social services. If you call a support line, that decision will be left up to you unless you are in serious danger.

There are laws in place to protect young people and to bring offenders to justice.

By law, the local authority has a duty to carry out enquiries into allegations, which means that a social worker will come to talk to you (and perhaps your parents) to try to find out the facts. They will then decide if you are in any danger of abuse or neglect. Sometimes this will lead to a child protection conference. This may be called to discuss concerns about you and to decide what to do next.

Usually many people from your life are invited including teachers, doctors and health visitors, as well as police and social workers. You and your family may also be invited.

WHAT NEXT.....

If the conference decides that you are at risk of significant harm they may decide to put your name on the child protection register .The conference can decide if it is best to help the family in caring for you or if there is too much risk involved in staying in the family home. They may decide that you need to live somewhere else, perhaps with foster parents for a while.

The law can force the abuser to leave the family home rather than you having to leave. The police have to go to court to get agreement for this and it is usually only for a short period of time, but would allow the you to remain in your own home.

Once you have made an allegation, the police must become involved and you may be interviewed on video by a member of the police protection team. The police do this to collect information and evidence in order to bring the abuser to court. You may have to go court to give evidence when the case is heard.
This can be a very difficult time, but with the support of family and friends, there is every chance that you will get over it .