If you are worried about a friend or classmate, you should check in with them and ask if they are ok. 

You might take them aside after rehearsal, or during a break, and say something like: 

• “You seem really quiet today and I’m worried about you. I just want to make sure you’re ok and let you know that I care about you and I’m here if you need me.”
• “I heard what Paul said earlier and I think it’s really unfair. Are you ok?” 

If your friend chooses to tell you about why they are not feeling safe, you should listen actively and show sympathy. 

You might say something like: 

• “We all have the right to be respected and feel safe.”
• “I’m sorry you’re not feeling safe.”
• “I’m sorry those kids were mean to you.”
• “That’s not ok.” 

It’s up to your friend to tell you why they are feeling unsafe. You should let them tell their story in their own words, without asking questions or interrupting them. It’s not your responsibility to find out what happened. Your job is to support your friend.

You can show your friend you care by listening actively and keeping your attention focussed on them. Don’t get distracted by other things going on around you.  

If your friend decides they don’t want to talk about it anymore, that’s ok. You need to respect their choice. 

It’s important that you respect your friend’s privacy. Generally, you shouldn’t share what they told you with others, unless they said it was ok. 

If you are worried that your friend is in danger of serious physical or sexual harm, you should tell an adult that you trust about it, so they can’t help your friend. Let your friend know that you are going to do this. 

There is no one right way to help someone who feels unsafe. Support will look different for everyone, depending on their preferences and the situation. The best way to find out how you can support your friend is by asking them what they want.

Support might look like:

• Listening to your friend tell you what happened  
• Letting your friend know you care about them and want to support them
• Offering to go with your friend to tell an adult what happened
• Offering to find out if your arts organisation has any policies about what to do in this situation, or specific people whose job it is to help  
• Offering to help your friend report what happened to the appropriate adult
• If they are feeling unsafe or uncomfortable around a particular person, or group of people, offering to go with them next time they have to be with those people
• If you feel safe doing so, you can speak up if you see or hear someone do something unfair, disrespectful, mean or harmful. 

Sometimes, it might be helpful for your friend to seek advice from an adult, or an expert. Some people who can help are: 

An adult they trust like a parent, family member, teacher or instructor. 

Kids Helpline 

Kids Helpline can help children and young people aged 5-25:

• Website:  www.kidshelpline.com.au
• Free call: 1800 55 1800 (available 24/7)  
• Email:  counsellor@kidshelpline.com.au   

Headspace 

Headspace can help young people aged 12-25:  

• Website:  www.headspace.org.au
• Free call: 1800 650 890 (9am–1am AEST, seven days per week)  
• Email or chat online
• Visit a Headspace Centre

Youth Law Australia 

Youth Law Australia can provide legal information and help for young people under 25:

• Website:  www.yla.org.au
• Free call: 1800 950 570 (9am–5pm AEST, Monday to Friday)  
• Email:  advice@lawmail.org.au