Pat's Answer
To Pat / 30 August 2020
My friend says she’s getting beaten at home .
Your Question
Hi I’m 13 and my friend says she’s getting beaten at home and now is vaping to relieve stress. I don’t want to say anything because she’ll get beaten if they find out, but if I don’t say anything it will still happen. It’s been going on for a year.
From Pat / 17 September 2020
Answer
Hi, welcome to Ask Pat,
You are so thoughtful to get in touch with us to find out how you can help your friend. She is very lucky to have you in her life. It looks like she holds you in high regard to share with you what is going on for her. You are doing a great thing for her by reaching out and seeing what options are available to her.
You are saying that she is being beaten at home. We would be very concerned to hear that anyone is being beaten in their family home as every child has the right to be safe and happy. Nobody has the right to hurt another person, and in particular, nobody has the right to hurt a child or young person.
At Childline we are thankful to you that you are raising this concern for your friend. She has the right to get help and support for what is going on for her, and you too have the right to get support.
Is there a trusted adult that either of you could talk to? Somebody that you feel comfortable chatting with, maybe your parent, or an aunt or uncle, or maybe a teacher. We understand that you are worried for your friend’s safety, but there are services out there that can help her and her family. It is not ok for her to have beatings at any time.
Have you had a chance to look at the Childline website? There are some articles on abuse and your rights. You can find them here: www.childline.ie/bullying-abuse-safety-and-your-rights/ and here: https://www.childline.ie/your-rights/
If you would like to get in touch with us at Childline for a chat, we would love to hear from you. Both you and your friend have access to our services twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. The telephone number is 1800 66 66 66, the text number is 50101 or you might choose to web chat instead at www.childline.ie. Childline is a safe place for you and your friend. You can chat about anything at all. We do not trace calls or use caller or IP IDs. You can phone us on your own or both of you can phone together. Whichever way is best for you. We can also chat with your friend about her vaping to ease her stress.
You are brilliant in coming forward and reaching out. You can get in touch with Childline anytime. Remember, you have the right to support and so does your friend. We really hope to hear from you soon so that we can support you and look at getting the help that your friend requires.
Keep safe,
Pat