Children should feel safe at home, sport, school and in any organisation. If you are under 18 years of age and anyone makes you feel unsafe or scared or is hurting you, it is important to tell someone that you trust. Even if the person who is making you feel unsafe tells you not to tell anyone or says it’s a secret, you still need to tell someone.
Who can you talk to?
These are some of the people you can talk to if you feel unsafe or someone is hurting you:
- Mum or Dad
- Foster parent or guardian
- Grandma
- Grandad
- any of your Teachers
- your Coach or Manager
- your Auntie or Uncle
- an older Brother or Sister
- your friend’s parents
- a Police officer
- a librarian at school
- the school counsellor
- the Minister at your church, temple or synagogue
- a Doctor or Nurse
Who can you call?
- Child Protection helpline on Phone 132 111 (available 24 hours a day)
- Kids Helpline webchat
- Kids helpline phone 1800 55 1800
- Police Help Line 131 444
- Football NSW 02 8814 4400
- In an emergency call 000 (zero zero zero)
Kids On-line Feedback to FNSW
This form is for use by children and young people under 18 years of age only. Children can use this form to share information with Football NSW about their safety if they are unable to discuss their concerns with a parent, guardian, other family member, teacher, club committee member or another responsible adult or if they have told an adult and the child still feels unsafe. The more information we receive on this form, the more we will be able to assist the child.
If a child reports to an adult any concerns about their safety or welfare, it should not be ignored. That person is responsible for taking steps to safeguard the child by managing or reporting those concerns to the relevant club, association, Football NSW, school, organisation or to Police or FACS.
Help for Kids and Parents
Where a child is at risk of harm from abuse or neglect, the NSW Kids Helpline is open 24 hours, 7 days a week and is answered by qualified persons who can assist children and adults with matters and concerns relating to harm, abuse or neglect of children and young people.
Children or adults can call the Kids Helpline on phone 132 111.
Bullying
If you are being bullied it is important that you tell someone so they can help to stop the bullying. You should report it to Mum, Dad, Grandma, Grandad, Aunty, Uncle or anyone else that you trust. If someone at school is bullying you, tell a teacher so they can help you. If someone at football is bullying you, you should also tell your mum, dad, coach, manager, club MPIO or a committee member or another adult that you trust.
Bullying No Way! – for Parents
Cyber Bullying
If you are being bullied on Facebook or any type of Social Media, you should report it to your Mum, Dad, Grandma, Grandad, Aunty, Uncle or anyone else that you trust. If it is someone at your club or in football who is bullying you online, you can also report it to your team coach or manager or to the MPIO or a committee person at your club or report it to us using the Kids Feedback Form.
Some things you can try before you report Cyber bullying
To report online bullying you can Report Cyber Bullying to the e-Safety Centre Here
For more information about Cyber bullying, what you can do about it visit these websites:
- Cyber Bullying Safety Centre
- ThinkUKnow – Information for parents, clubs, schools and teachers
- ThinkUKnow – Information for youth aged 11 – 17 years
- eSafety website – E-Safety Commission website for kids and parents
Reporting Child Abuse
To report child abuse or neglect call the Child Protection Helpline on 132 111 (24 hours/7 days) or click here for more information.
Information and support is available at your club, association and Football NSW:
- Contact the MPIO at your club or local Association
- Contact Football NSW State MPIO on (02) 8814 4400 or use the Kids Feedback Form