Alex's Answer

Hi there and welcome to Ask Alex, 

You have told us that your mum abuses you verbally and threatens you, and that you don’t know what to do. 

We are sorry to hear this is happening to you. You must be feeling very scared and worried. 

We want to let you know parents have the responsibility to keep you safe from harm, care for you and listen to you. It is your right to feel safe in your own home, and your parents do not have the right to harm you in any way. 

You have the right to report what you are experiencing  to Túsla, the Child and Family Agency in Ireland. Túsla is there to keep children and young people safe from harm and supports families who are struggling to do so. As a young person, you would need an adult to accompany you through the process. That can be a family member you trust, a teacher, or a neighbour. Know that if you feel unsafe at any moment, and you need immediate help, you can also reach out to the Gardaí calling 999 or 112.  

What you are going through can be a lot for a young person to carry and deal with on their own. You have been very brave already, reaching out to us; we know how difficult it can be to open up about things not going well at home. We hope you have the strength to find support in a trusting adult, as it would help in lifting this weight off your shoulders and move towards getting the help you and your family need. 

If you feel there is no one you can turn to, remember Childline is here for you. We will listen and support you whenever you need. You can call us at 1800 66 66 66 or use Live Chat on our website Childline.ie. These services are open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.  

Please, do not hesitate to reach out again if you need more support. Wishing you are safe real soon, 

Alex