How to get Help

If you are growing up in a home where you do not feel safe, it is important to know that whatever is happening is not your fault. Every person deserves to have safety, peace, and respect.  Abuse can make you feel trapped, confused, or even numb, but there are ways to get help, and there are people who care and will listen. This page is here to help you find support for yourself or for someone you know who’s going through something similar.

How to ask for help

Talking to a Friend

1. The first person you tell does not have to be an adult, instead it can be a peer or a close friend.

2. At the end of the day talking to someone about your situation is more important than the age of the person you talk to

3. Pick someone you trust, someone who can listen to you and will take your situation seriously

4. Even if your friend doesn't know what to do or can’t do anything to help the situation, that’s okay, the goal isn't to have someone fix the issue completely, instead the goal is to make sure you don't hold the burden of your situation alone

5. Talking to an Adult

   1. Finding a trusted adult to speak to can be difficult, especially when you have been told for much of your life to not speak about your home life, but when you are ready some possible safe adults can be:

      1. A teacher or school counselor

      2. A coach or nurse

      3. A friend’s parent or a neighbor you trust

   2. It can be helpful to speak them to in person, but if that is not possible you can also write down the issues and ask for support that way.

   3. It is also important to note that adults who work with children, like teachers, counselors, and doctors, are required by law to report suspected abuse. Which may be a factor to consider when finding a trusted adult about your situation

Getting Professional Help

Therapy and Counseling

1. Therapy is a great place to speak about whatever struggles you are currently facing and work through any cognitive distortions that frequently result from abuse.

2. A therapist listens, helps you make sense of what you’re feeling, and teaches ways to handle stress and rebuild confidence.

3. If meeting in person isn’t possible, there are online options like BetterHelp for Teens, Talkspace, or your school’s counseling program. Many services lower costs or offer free sessions for young people.

4. You can find free therapy services through crisis helplines, community support organizations, and government resources. 

5. The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline and Crisis Text Line offer immediate, 24/7 support, while organizations like the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) and local 211 services provide referrals and information.

6. For more options, you can search FindTreatment.gov or check with local mental health departments.

7. Online Forums and Support Communities

   1. It may also be helpful to find support groups online. Here many people may find communities that share their struggles or spaces where they can anonymously share their own situations.

   2. Examples of safe, supportive spaces include:

      1. Childline (UK-based, but has helpful guides)

      2. Teen Line (run by teens, for teens)

      3. 7 Cups (free chat with trained listeners)

      4. The Trevor Project (for LGBTQ+ youth)

      5. Or discord servers that specialize in mental health or building community

   
   

How to Help a Friend

If someone you care about tells you they’re being abused, your job is not to fix the issues they face, instead your most important task is to listen. 

• Many people’s first instinct is to fix things. Saying things like “You should leave!” or “You need to tell someone right now”, but that can make the person shut down or feel like they’ve lost control again. 

• Instead, let them talk. 

  • Let them lead the conversation. Give them space to share what they’re ready to say.

  • Avoid judging or minimizing it. Even if it sounds small, it’s serious to them.

  • Listen to understand, not to solve. You can still help later, by finding resources, going with them to talk to an adult, or making a safety plan, but the first step is trust.

• Try to say things like

  • “I believe you.”

  • “You don’t deserve this.”

  • “I’m here for you.”

• Don’t promise to keep abuse a secret, as that could put them in more danger. Instead, offer to go with them to tell a trusted adult or contact a hotline together.

• If you think they’re in danger right now it’s okay to reach out for help even if they don’t want you to. For example, if they say they’re scared to go home or someone’s hurting them. In serious cases where someone is in risk of immediate harm it is important to contact a trusted adult.

  
  

Who to Contact

If you or someone you know is in an abusive situation, these services can help, whether you want to talk, text, or chat online. You don’t need to be in immediate danger to reach out.

• Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline:

  • Call or text 1-800-422-4453 (available 24/7, free, and confidential)

  • You can also visit: childhelphotline.org

• Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741 to chat with a trained counselor

• National Domestic Violence Hotline:

  • Call 1-800-799-SAFE (7233)

  • You can also visit thehotline.org

• Reaching out to any of these organizations will not necessarily cause officers or CPS to reach out to you, instead it will simply connect you with people who will be able to listen to you; help you make a safety plan, if necessary; and support you in deciding your plans for the future

  
  

Helping Yourself Feel Safe

It’s okay if you can’t leave right away or don’t know what to do next. Safety comes in steps.

• Here are a few things that might help:

  • Keep emergency numbers somewhere safe (in your phone or a hidden note).

  • Have a small bag ready with important things (ID, charger, small cash, comfort items).

  • If it’s safe to do so, tell a friend or adult where you’ll be if you leave suddenly.

  • When things feel overwhelming, try grounding yourself: focus on your breathing, count things you can see, or touch something cool or textured nearby.

• Small actions count. Every step toward safety matters.

  
  

You Are Not Alone

Abuse tries to make you feel small, invisible, or like no one will believe you. But the truth is, there are people who care deeply about what happens to you, people who’ve been through the same things, survived it, and want to help others through their own journey.

• Even if you don’t reach out today, keep this page. Read it again when you need it.

• You deserve a life without fear. You deserve peace. You deserve love that doesn’t hurt.