Safety Guide

I feel unsafe right now

If you are in immediate danger — call 999. You can stay silent and help will still come.

1. Call 999 or 112 — emergency services. You can whisper or say nothing at all.
2. Get to a public place if you can — a shop, neighbour, school, anywhere with people.
3. Text a trusted adult your location.
4. If you cannot call, text 999 (pre-register at register.emergencysms.ie).

Someone is making me uncomfortable online

You are not overreacting. Feeling uncomfortable is enough reason to act.

1. Trust your instincts — if something feels wrong, it is wrong.
2. Stop replying. You do not owe anyone a response.
3. Screenshot or save the messages before anything else.
4. Block them on every app or platform you share.
5. Tell a trusted adult — a parent, teacher, school counsellor, older sibling.
6. If you can't tell a parent, call Childline: 116 123. They will not judge you.

Someone asked for or sent me photos

Sharing images of anyone under 18 is a serious crime. You will not get in trouble for coming forward.

1. Do NOT send anything — not one photo, not even to prove you're not scared.
2. Screenshot their messages and their profile.
3. Block them immediately on every platform.
4. Tell a trusted adult as soon as you can.
5. If you already sent something — you are not in trouble. You need protection.
6. Report to Hotline.ie — they handle this confidentially.
7. Talk to Childline: 116 123. They have helped many people in this exact situation.

Someone is threatening or blackmailing me

What they are doing is a crime. You are not in trouble — they are. Telling someone takes their power away.

1. Do NOT pay them money — it always makes things worse.
2. Do NOT send more photos or videos.
3. Screenshot everything: messages, profile, username, any account details.
4. Block them on every platform.
5. Tell a trusted adult today.
6. Contact An Garda Síochána Cybercrime: 01 666 3000.
7. Report to Hotline.ie — they deal with this confidentially.

I want to hurt myself

You deserve support. What you're feeling is real. You don't have to explain everything perfectly.

1. Call or text Childline: 116 123 — free, 24/7, no name needed.
2. You can just say 'I'm not okay' and they will help from there.
3. If you can, go to someone you trust and just be with them.
4. Samaritans: 116 123 — also free, always available.
5. If you have already hurt yourself, call 999 or go to A&E.

I think something has happened to my child

Do not wait to see if it resolves itself. Early reporting protects your child.

1. Stay calm in front of your child — your reaction shapes their willingness to keep talking.
2. Believe them. False reports by children are extremely rare.
3. Do not confront the alleged abuser yourself — this can endanger your child and compromise evidence.
4. Do not delete any messages, images, or accounts — these are evidence.
5. Take screenshots of everything before contacting platforms.
6. Contact Tusla (Child and Family Agency): 1800 555 222.
7. Contact your local Garda station or Garda Cybercrime: 01 666 3000.

Preserving evidence

Evidence is critical for prosecution. Preserve first, report second.

1. Screenshot every message, image, video, and profile before doing anything else.
2. Note the username, display name, platform, and any account details visible.
3. Do NOT report to the platform yet — reporting can trigger account deletion and destroy evidence.
4. Write down dates and times of incidents as accurately as you can remember.
5. Once you have screenshots, report to An Garda Síochána and then to the platform.
6. Hotline.ie can remove illegal content — report there after Gardaí are informed.

Who to contact and when

• Immediate danger → 999 or 112 first.
• Child has been contacted/groomed/sent inappropriate content → Gardaí Cybercrime: 01 666 3000.
• Child welfare concern → Tusla: 1800 555 222 (24-hour duty line).
• Illegal content online → Hotline.ie to have it removed.
• You need support as a parent → ISPCC parent line: 1800 929 100.