Alex's Answer

Hi there,

 

Thank you for getting in touch with Ask Alex. We understand it can be difficult to talk about what is going on for us, so well done on reaching out.

 

It sounds like your parents are hitting you, and you are wondering how to get this to stop. The first thing we would like you to know is that it is never OK for someone to hit you, especially your parents. It is their responsibility to look after you and make sure you are safe and well cared for.

 

We are very concerned to hear that your parents are hitting you, and you have the right to get help and support. There can be arguments in families, and people can get angry, but no one has the right to hurt you or make you feel scared in your own home. It is not your fault that your parents hit you; rather, it is theirs for not being able to control their behavior.

 

If you are ever feeling unsafe at home, you have the right to call the emergency services for help at 112 or 999. There is also an organisation called Túsla – the Child and Family Agency in Ireland – which is available for young people up to the age of 18. Their job is to keep children and young people safe at home, and you can find your local Túsla office here: www.tusla.ie/get-in-touch/local-area-offices/.

 

It can be difficult to deal with something like this all by yourself, and a good first step could be to talk to a trusted adult about what is happening at home. Would you have someone in your life that you would be comfortable sharing this with – like an aunt, uncle, grandparent, or school counsellor, maybe? Here are also some articles on the Childline website that might be useful for you to read: www.childline.ie/is-this-abuse/; www.childline.ie/getting-help/ and www.childline.ie/home-and-families/

 

Knowing how hard it can be to tell someone we know what is going on for us, please remember that we are always here to listen to you at Childline, 24/7, 365 days a year, should you like to chat with us. We won’t judge you or tell you what to do; we are here to listen to you, to believe you, and to help you figure things out. You can call us at 1800 66 66 66, or we have a chat service on our website www.childline.ie. Just click on the orange Live Chat tab on the right-hand side of the screen.

 

Thanks for sharing your question. We hope this helps somewhat, and please remember that you don’t have to handle this on your own.

 

Alex