Frequently Asked Questions

Many more young people are harmed by crime and bullying each year than you will be aware of. May be even people you know. Unfortunately being harmed is not unusual:

• 75% of young people are bullied at school ¹
• 95% of school pupils said they've had a crime committed against them ²
• The risk of victimisation for young people is twice that of adults ³
• More than 30% of 12–15 year olds have experienced some form of cyber-crime ⁴

SAFE! supports 8 to 25 year olds in the Thames Valley who have been harmed by crime and bullying, when they decide they want support - whether it is immediately after being harmed or later on.

1 Youth Survey 2002
2 Howard League
3 2005 OCJ Survey
4 Cross et al, 2009

Being hurt by crime can be tough. You might be coping with difficult feelings such as being angry, frightened, upset or guilty. You might want someone to talk to who will not judge you.

Our Support Workers:

• Listen to you, and help you think about what you might want to do next
• Give you space to talk about what happened and what you're going through
• Help you think about keeping safe
• Give you information about reporting a crime and what might happen if you do report.
• Give you information about who else might be able to help you

Sessions are based around what you want to talk about and what you feel most comfortable doing. We have a range of activities which are shaped to fit each people's individual needs, for example some people like to talk, while others find it easier to draw or make things.

You will not be asked to discuss details of how you were harmed unless you want to.

Once you have been referred to SAFE! a project worker will be in touch with you/ your parents to arrange an introductory meeting to tell you a little bit more about the project and support SAFE! offers. It is up to you how much or how little support you get from us. You can choose how often to meet, where, and how many sessions to have. You are not committed to a definite number of sessions by having an introductory meeting.

The details of what you say will remain confidential between the Project Worker and you unless there are things you want us to share with other people, we have good reason to believe you or someone else is in danger, or a crime is going to be/ has been committed - in which case we have a duty to tell someone about this.

We wouldn't do anything without talking to you first.

It is up to you how much or how little support you get from us. You can choose how often to meet, where, and how many sessions to have. You are not committed to a definite number of sessions by asking for support.