Young Furzedown · Helping others

Helping others safely.

Practical advice for supporting a friend or responding when you witness harassment, bullying or violence — without putting yourself at risk.

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Help a friend

If a friend tells you something is wrong, you do not have to solve it alone.

Being a good friend can mean listening, helping them get somewhere safe and involving a trusted adult when the situation is serious.

Listen first

Stay calm, let them explain in their own words and avoid blaming them or pushing them to share more than they want to.

Get somewhere safe

If they feel threatened or followed, move with them towards a busy, open or staffed place and contact somebody they trust.

Tell a trusted adult

A parent, carer, teacher, safeguarding lead or youth worker can help. If someone could be seriously harmed, it is okay to tell an adult even if your friend is worried about doing so.

Keep useful evidence

If there are threatening messages or online harassment, screenshots and account details may help. Do not forward harmful content around or post it publicly.

Do not confront someone on your friend's behalf.If there is immediate danger, a weapon, serious violence or somebody is at risk of being badly hurt, move to safety and call 999. For non-emergency crime use 101 or the Metropolitan Police online service.

Bystander advice

See something? Help without putting yourself at risk.

If you witness harassment, bullying or violence, you do not have to physically step in. The safest response is often to get help, create space and support the person afterwards.

Your safety comes first.If weapons are involved, violence is happening, or you think someone could be seriously hurt, move to safety and call 999. Do not chase, fight or physically confront someone.

Get safe

Keep some distance, move towards a staffed or busy place and avoid making the situation more dangerous.

Get help

Tell a trusted adult, teacher, youth worker, security staff member or another responsible person. Call 999 if anyone is in immediate danger.

Support afterwards

Check whether the person is okay, stay with them if they want you to and help them reach an adult, safe place or reporting service.

DistractBreak the moment

If it feels safe, ask an ordinary question, call the person over or create a reason for them to move away.

DelegateBring in someone else

Get a shop worker, driver, teacher, security guard, youth worker, parent or another trusted adult to help.

DelayCheck in afterwards

If you could not act safely at the time, you can still ask if they are okay, help them report it or stay with them.

Document carefullyOnly if it is safe

Remember useful details such as time, place and what happened. Do not put yourself at risk to film, and do not post footage of someone else's incident online.

Bullying or harassment at school? Tell a teacher, safeguarding lead, parent, carer or another trusted adult. If a crime is happening now or somebody is in immediate danger, call 999. For non-emergency crime, use 101.