Children and Young People

Welcome to the Children and Young People section of the Safeguarding Board for Northern Ireland

Everyone is responsible for making sure that you are kept safe. Lots of different organisations are working to protect you. At the Safeguarding Board we think they can do an even better job if they work together.

The person in charge of the Safeguarding Board is independent. They don’t belong to the government or to any of the organisations that make up the Safeguarding Board, and they have the power to make sure that organisations work together to keep children safe.

Information and advice

Who can I contact

  • In an emergency

    If you or someone you know are in immediate danger then contact the PSNI on 999. You can also ring Crime stoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

    If it isn’t an emergency situation you can contact either Childline or Lifeline.

  • Childline

    Childline is a private and confidential service for children and young people up to the age of nineteen. 

    Freephone available 24/7 from landlines and mobile - 0800 1111 or have a 1-2-1 chat online or send an email via their website at www.childline.org.uk  any time of the day or night.

  • Lifeline

    Lifeline is a local helpline service available for free 24/7 from landlines and mobile - 0808 800 8000

What is Sexual Exploitation?

When a young person is  tricked or exploited into taking part in sexual activity this is sexual exploitation.

Sexual exploitation is sometimes used to gain things such as:

  • Attention
  • Love
  • Food
  • Cigarettes
  • Drugs
  • Alcohol
  • Money

The 5Ts

This leaflet has been written for you by other children and young people, some of whom have experienced child sexual exploitation and want to raise awareness of the issue.

They came up with the 5Ts:

  • Tricked, 
  • Trapped,
  • Trust,
  • Tell and 
  • Talk 

The leaflet explains what sexual exploitation is and how you can protect yourself. 

They've also included phone numbers which you can call if you're worried that you, or someone you know, might be going through something similar.