Protect a child/young person
Child abuse is when a child is intentionally harmed by an adult or another child – it can be over a period of time but can also be a one-off action. It can be physical, sexual or emotional and it can happen in person or online. It can also be a lack of love, care and attention – this is neglect.
You may witness something, or a child may tell you that they are being harmed. If you are worried, please report it, you will be helping to keep that child/young person safe. Safeguarding is everyone's responsibility.
For more information about keeping a child safe in Herefordshire please visit the Herefordshire Council website.
In an emergency or if someone is in immediate danger, always call 999.
If you think that a child has been harmed or is being neglected, contact the Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub on 01432 260800 or call the Police on 101.
Herefordshire Safeguarding Children Board can offer information about types of abuse, what happens when you report abuse, and the work being done by social care services and other professionals to protect children in Herefordshire.
Childline If you are a child or young person and would like to talk to someone in confidence, you can call Childline on 0800 1111 even if you don't have any credit and it won't show on your phone bill. When you call you'll go through to a switchboard where someone friendly will ask if you want to speak to a counsellor.
You can also go to the Childline website to log in for a 1-2-1 counsellor chat (you might wait a little while before being connected with a counsellor). Or you can send Childline an email from your Childline locker.