Asking for Help

We know it can be scary or worrying to call 999. If someone is hurt badly, passed out, can’t breathe or in danger, this is what you need to do.

• Dial 999 on a telephone.
• Listen to the operator – a person will answer and ask, “Which emergency service do you need?”
  • You say: “Ambulance” (if someone is hurt, unconscious, or not breathing)
  • Or you say: “Police” (if you’re calling about trouble at home)
• Tell them where you are – they will put you through to the police or ambulance. The first thing they will ask for is your address.
  • Say your address clearly. This helps them send help even while you’re still talking.
• Explain what’s happening.
  • After you tell them your address, say, “I’m calling about domestic abuse.” Then, quickly tell them what’s going on.
• Answer their questions – the person on the phone will ask you important things like:
  • “Where exactly are you?”
  • “Who is there?”
  • “Is anyone in danger right now?”
  • Answer them as best you can.
  • Stay on the phone – the operator will tell you what to do next and how to stay safe until help arrives. Listen carefully.

If you can’t speak because it’s not safe, you can press 55 when prompted. This lets the operator know it’s an emergency, and the call will be transferred to the police.

• Help arrives – the police or ambulance will come to your house or where you are. They will make  sure everyone is safe.
• They’ll work out a plan – when the police or ambulance are there, they’ll ask what happened and talk to everyone to understand everything so they can keep everyone safe.
• Extra help – sometimes, the police might bring other people to help you too to make sure you and your family are looked after and kept safe. They all work together to help you.

Sometimes people can make you or your family feel scared or unsafe at home. This is never your fault. An emergency is when someone needs help right now because they are in immediate danger or might get badly hurt.

This means if:

• Someone is being hit or pushed.
• Someone is threatening to hurt another person.
• Someone is very scared or upset because of how they’re being treated.
• Someone needs to get out of their home or where they are fast to be safe.

If any of these things are happening, it’s really important to call 999 straight away.

Calling for help is a very brave thing to do. There are kind people who want to help you and make sure you are safe. You are not alone.

If you or your family are in immediate danger, call 999.

• Call 999: If you or someone nearby is in danger right now, dial 999 on a telephone. A friendly person will answer. Tell them it’s an emergency and explain quickly what’s going on.

• If you aren’t in immediate danger, but need to feel safe:
  • Find a safe spot: Try to go somewhere such as:
    • Your neighbour’s house.
    • A friend’s home.
    • A busy place like a shop or the library.
    • If you can’t leave, find a room in your house you can lock yourself inside.
• Stay away from dangerous areas: Keep away from places like the kitchen or garage. These spots might have sharp things or tools that could be used to hurt someone.
• Tell a grown-up you trust: If you can, talk to an adult you really trust. This could be a grown-up in your family, a teacher, or a school helper. They can help you get the support you need.
• Use a secret word: If you have a special secret word with a friend or family member, use it. This word can tell them you need help without the person causing trouble knowing. Make sure you both know what to do when you use the word.
• Have your important things ready: If it’s safe to do so, have a little bag packed. Put things like your phone, a little bit of money, and any important medicine inside. Keep it somewhere you can grab it super fast if you need to leave quickly.

• Remember, it’s important to speak up if something isn’t right.
• This information may help you: Rights4children: Your right to complain June 2018
• If something is wrong or unfair, you have the right to complain. This means you can tell someone about the problem to try and fix it.
• Complaints can be about many things, like if you’re not getting the help you need, if someone is treating you badly, or if a decision was made that you think is wrong.
• Sometimes, it takes a long time to get a response to your complaint, so being persistent is key.