If you feel unsafe
What to do if something feels wrong. It is never your fault, and grown-ups will help.
It is never your fault
If something makes you feel scared, weird or uncomfortable, it is not your fault. Not ever. You won't get in trouble for telling.
Tell a grown-up you trust
You can tell:
- your mom, dad or the grown-up who takes care of you
- any coach at the Lab
- a teacher, a school counselor or another grown-up you trust
If the first grown-up doesn't listen, tell another one. Keep telling until someone helps.
You can say it in your own words. Here's one way: "Something happened and I need help."
No secrets about touching
No grown-up should ever ask you to keep a secret about:
- touching
- private parts
- private messages, texts, pictures or chats
Those are never OK to keep secret. Tell a grown-up you trust, even if someone said not to.
A surprise is different. A surprise is happy, like a birthday present, and everyone finds out soon. A secret that makes you feel bad is one to tell.
Online and on phones
If anyone sends you something that feels wrong, don't answer. Show a grown-up you trust.
In an emergency, call 911
If someone is hurt or in danger right now, call 911. You can call from any phone. Say:
- your name
- where you are
- what's happening
For grown-ups helping a child
If a child tells you about abuse or neglect, call the Illinois DCFS Child Abuse Hotline: 1-800-25-ABUSE (1-800-252-2873). If the child is in immediate danger, call 911.
You can also contact Stephen Henry, who leads the Lab, at 872-255-9333 or stephen@selassiefest.com. But you don't need anyone's permission to call DCFS or 911. See Report a concern.
Remember
- You are brave for telling.
- You will be believed and helped.
- Your body belongs to you.
More help: Who to talk to