“I’m sure I said not but he didn’t seem to listen. I didn’t know how to stop him”
Getting support
Maddie and Mitchell’s story was created by young people who have been supported by SAFE! and is based on their experiences. SAFE! meets young people like Maddie every day, and hears similar stories. Find out what happened next for Maddie.
If you are struggling to cope with the impact of crime or bullying, tell someone what has happened, they might be able to help. To find out more about the support SAFE! provides, check out our website, or get in touch with us directly, and someone will call you back.
You can get immediate help from Childline or by calling on 0800 1111.
Victim Support has information and further help for young victims of crime.
If you are in immediate danger, call the police by dialling 999.
Thinking of sending nudes?
It might seem exciting at the time, but….
- Take a moment to think before pressing send
- Once you’ve sent it you don’t have control over what happens next
- If you’ve sent a nude pic, talk with the person you sent it to.
- Ask them to delete it
- Think about what images you share with someone when you’re in a relationship.
- Would it be easy to identify you if an image is shared?
- Never let anyone guilt or pressurise you into sending a nude
- Maddie thinking of sending nudes
- Sexting and the law
- Under 18? It’s against the law for anyone to take or have a sexual photo of you – even if it’s a selfie.
- If you share a sexual photo with someone, you are breaking the law.
- The police have the power to decide whether to take things further.
- If you’re both under 18 and freely consented it’s unlikely that the police would take things further
- If you are over 18 and someone shares a sexualised image of you without your consent they are breaking the law.
- If an indecent or nude pic of you is posted online, speak to an adult you trust or to Childline and they will help you sort things out
- If someone online asks you for a nude image, or you have shared a sexual image online and someone has threatened you, you can also report to CEOP.
Other websites and places to find out more and get help:
Keeping safe online
- Be careful who you add as a friend online, especially if you don’t know them in real life
- If you meet someone over the internet you don’t know who they really are.
- They might be a lot older or a lot younger than you think they are
- Never meet someone in person who you have only just met online
- If you are meeting in person bring a friend and meet in a public place
- Only share things online that you would be happy for your family and teachers to see
- Check your privacy settings and keep and update a strong password
- Take time for yourself offline too – switch off and connect with people face to face
Childline – Staying Safe Online
Signs of a healthy relationship
- Listen to each other’s feelings, hopes and dreams
- Respect each other and who you both are
- Have an equal partnership where decisions are shared together
- Trust each other -you don’t need to know where each other is all the time
- Give each other space/time to spend alone or with other friends and family
- Respect each other’s sexual boundaries and the right to say no
- Respect each other’s property and privacy
- Do nice things for each other without expecting anything in return
- Accept and respect yourself and expect the same from your partner
Here are some links with more information about healthy relationships:
- ThinkUKnow – Sexual Exploitation
- Childline – Healthy and unhealthy relationships
- Sexual Health Advice
Be a true friend
- If your friend has sent a nude and it gets shared around, support them and don’t judge them, remember everyone makes mistakes
- If someone sends you a sexualised image, text or video, don’t keep it or send in on to others.
- By joining in with others you are both breaking the law, and putting that person’s reputation and self-esteem at risk.
- Think about how you would feel if this happened to you, and be brave enough to go against the crowd
- Name: Maddie
- Age: 15
- Home town: Thame