Websites
Online Teen Speak
A fantastic resource which explains terms young people use online; abbreviations like GNOC ‘Get Naked On Camera’ and other online slang. This can not only help adults keep young people safe but breaks down social barriers.
Disrespect Nobody
The Government have replaced the ‘this is abuse’ campaign with this new ‘disrespect nobody’ information site for young people; it has lost the forums and online chat of the previous site and purely focuses on explaining what teenage relationship abuse is and where to seek help.
The idea of the body parts is no matter how a person is hurt, there is a person there. The design is reminiscent of Spitting Image, and there is mixed feedback from young people – some like, some think it’s odd. The main message theme seems to focus on female voice as victims, and male as person causing harm, which young people do not like – especially as it seems to neglect the needs of the LGBT community. However, it is a useful site for getting information out there and includes similar features to ACTONIT such as a quiz, and help a friend sections.
The Hide Out
The Hide out is a domestic abuse information site for children, young people, and adults. It’s packed with information and has interactive games that help young people learn about domestic abuse; for example what it’s like in a refuge.
Teen Relationships
This is an American site that aims to promote healthy relationships in young people, it is only aimed at young people and has a quiz on what is healthy and what isn’t. different advice forums, and lots of information which is easy to read. This is not a UK site though so numbers of organisations and helplines will not be accessible.
Teen DV Month
Teen DV month is an awareness campaign each February in America; this is not mirrored in the UK however if you were planning on holding an awareness event you can find lots of ideas and advice on this site.
NHS live well
The NHS site is full of information, although it’s a single page with a lot of reading material. It’s quite useful to read but a little daunting if you’re looking for specific advice quickly. Young people have fed back that they wouldn’t use this site as there is too much information.
Teens Health
Teens Health is a site that covers all topics of teen health from substance misuse and sex, to illnesses and diseases. The information is all presented in articles so some young people may find it difficult to take in.
GO Sexual Health
This is the site to find out about all sexual health services in Cheshire East and West, GOSH is the new service which merges the RUSURE and GETTESTED websites. You can use this site to find out about clinics, request postal testing kits, and find more information about sexual health and keeping safe.
A young person’s committee was created as part of the commissioning service in Cheshire East, and their voice was an integral part of developing this new service.
Take This Lollipop
Take This Lollipop is an online tool which creates a video using details shared on facebook.
The video shows a man looking at the person’s account and using what ever they’ve shared to hunt them down – it is not for the faint hearted and can be quite scary. Suggested audience is aged 12 and above.
“it’s scary but really useful to show the dangers online” – young person
For the tool to work a person has to log in to their facebook account which will bypass any privacy or security settings put in place; this might shock the person but the aim of the tool is to highlight what a stranger who they’ve added as a friend is able to see. It can be even more daunting is their accounts are public and accessible to anyone.
Information on staying safe online can be found at www.parentinfo.org or www.ceop.police.org
CEOP
A website managed by the National Crime Agency Command which provides about online safety and has a reporting tool if you have concerns about a young person’s online activity.
LGBT Youth Scotland
LGBT Youth Scotland provides a fantastic website, which is wonderfully laid out and clear.
Young people particularly like the graphics on this site.
It’s packed with LGBT resources, especially around bullying and homophobia, but including domestic abuse.
Be aware though that this is a Scottish organisation so any advice lines and so on will be local to Scotland.
Respect Not Fear
Respect not fear was created in consultation with young people from Nottinghamshire. The site is targeted at young people and includes; information, quizzes, games, personal stories, and advice on staying safe. Young people in Cheshire East commented positively on the content although did not like the design. It’s a good site to access though with easy to use navigation.
Young Minds
Young Minds is a mental health and well being site. It contains personal stories on a range of topics including cyber bullying and abuse but does not provide information on these topics. This site is useful though for helping young people to recover their mental health after abuse and feedback from young people has been positive because of the clearness of the site and accessible navigation.
RAPE CRISIS UK
Rape Crisis England & Wales is a national charity, on their site you will find: how to get help if you’ve experienced rape, child sexual abuse and/or any other kind of sexual violence and details of your nearest Rape Crisis services; information for friends, partners, family and other people supporting a sexual violence survivor; information about sexual violence for survivors, students, journalists and others; more about our work, our members and how you can support us.
Cheshire Sexual Assault Referral Centre
This website has a really good ‘Useful Links’ page. This gives contact details for numerous support agencies, both locally and nationally. It has a step-by-step guide on what to do if you have been the victim of a sexual assault. It offers information for parents/carers, on recognising when there child may be at risk and what they can do to help them.
Rape Support
This website has really good links to various different support agencies. Although it focuses on Cheshire and Merseyside, the website has links to national sources of support. It offers a useful guide for parents/carers, on recognising when their child may be at risk and what they can do to help them. The Rape Support website has downloadable PDF leaflets that offer advice on the law relating to sexual violence, being a witness in court and The Victims code for under 18s.
BAVA website
Bristol Against Violence and Abuse is a local authority domestic abuse site, young people like it because of the clear navigation on the front page and it covers all the different types of abuse; CSE, forced marriage, and much more. Each topic page is full of information, a personal story, and downloadable leaflets. Be aware that some numbers provided on this site are for Bristol. At the top of the page is a small tab labelled professionals which has a wide range of resources listed included Spiralling which has been reviewed in the resources section.
Rise Above
Rise above is a site for teenagers that covers many areas of life they might be worried about. It’s clear precise information presented through videos and articles. Young people particularly like the games section that also promotes learning.
SHINE
Shine is an NHS sexual health service for young people. This site directs young people to local Shine clinics and workers. The site has basic information on many different areas of relationships from sexual orientation to safe sex and an information page on teenage relationship abuse. There is also a professionals and carers section which provides details of Shine’s service and their training packages. This site does not include resources to use with young people.
Love is Respect
This site is also American so the contacts on the pages are not useful. Although it is full of information and resources, use the navigations tabs at the top of the page. Be warned though that the font is quite small and people have feed back it can be difficult to source materials. It does have a wide range of resources ranging from healthy relationships to abusive that can be downloaded from the site and statistics. Although these statistics are America research.
AVA – Against Violence and Abuse
The AVA project based in London has created this Teenage Relationship Abuse site for those working with young people, it clearly explains the types of abuse, forced marriage, sexual assaults and more drawing on examples in the media such as Hollyoaks. The site also gives clear guidance on how to approach the topic with young people in different educational settings, with useful videos explaining confidentiality to groups. This is a fantastic resource for those in education settings.
Kooth
As a fully commissioned service from Cheshire East County Council, Kooth.com is a free, safe, confidential and non-stigmatised way for young people to receive counselling, advice and support on-line. This very popular service is used by large numbers of young people and delivers over 20,000 counselling sessions each year. Staffed by fully trained and qualified counsellors and available until 10pm each night, 365 days per year, it provides a much needed out of hours service for advice and support.
Age Range:11 to 19 (25 with a disability)
Age Band:Children
Young Adults
Adults
Cost:Free
Is a referral required?:No
NSPCC Website
On the ‘NSPCC’ Website you can find out what child abuse is, how to spot the signs, who is affected and what you should do if you’re worried about a child. Each type of abuse has its own page on the website detailing all of the above. Each page also includes ‘Facts and Statistics’, and what can potentially be done to help prevent that type of abuse.