I used to have to call the police quite frequently as a child and thought it may be helpful to share some thoughts:
- Keep your brothers and sisters together if possible. If you are the oldest, you will feel calmer if you know that your brothers and sisters are being looked after by you.
- Call 999 and ask for police. Speak quietly so your mum/dad can't hear you (if appropriate). If you can't speak, then the police will try to trace your number anyway so chances are they will turn up at your house without you even saying anything.
- If you can speak, tell the police briefly what is going on. Tell them if the police have had to come to your address before. It sounds awful but the more you can dramatise then it's likely the police will turn up quicker.
- If phoning the police proves to be difficult you can have a panic alarm installed in your house. My mum had one of these, because my Dad would often be abusive and sometimes violent. If you feel like you can speak to your mum/dad about it, then tell them they can ask their police/domestic violence officer for a panic button.
- If you get a panic button make sure you know where it is!
- The panic alarm is very discreet so whoever is perpretrating the abuse/violence will probably not even know it is there. The panic alarm works like this: the police have a record of everyone who has a panic alarm in their area. So when one is pressed they quickly figure out who it is and come to that address. No need for a phone call or comversation with the 999 operator.
- If you can sneak down some stairs to get out then try to. Me and my brother never made it out before being caught sadly but if you live in a bungalow for example, you may be able to get out a bit easier.
