Networks
What is a support network?
A group of people you trust, who you can talk to.
What could you do if your support person doesn’t believe you or doesn’t act?
Talk to someone else, persist, take that person off your network.
What are the qualities of persistence?
-not giving up
-keeping on trying
-having will power
-believing in yourself
-Setting goals
A man sitting opposite a young girl on a train has moved to sit beside her. He keeps leaning on her.
-Get out of the seat and sit next to a different person on the bus
-Sit in an empty seat and put your bag on the seat next to you
-Sit/stand near the driver
-Get off the bus if things do not improve
A friend has been saying insulting things to another friend which has caused them to be violent. What would you do?
-tell the insulting friend that it is not ok to insult people
-tell the violent friend that it is not ok to harm people
-tell them both that if they don't stop, you will stop being friends with them.
-tell an adult
-stay away from them
Why is a support network important?
So that people can have support when they need it.
Why is it important to review our networks regularly?
Change in relationships, change in environment, eg schools, knowledge of who will act and believe you.
Why is it important to be persistent in telling people?
Persistence in telling is very important. If you are not believed or not helped, you need to tell another support person in your network. This continues until help is received.
A man at the local shopping centre asks a ten year old boy to show him where the toilets are.
If you notice this situation, tell an adult right away.
If you are asked, point/give verbal directions, do not go to the toilet with the man.
Or say you don't know, and tell them to ask an adult.
A friend of yours has been getting more and more violent recently. They have been hurting your and your other friends everyday. They don't stop when you ask them to. What should you do to stay safe?
-Remove this person from your support network
-Ensure you say stop in a clear, firm way
-Say that what they are doing is hurting
-Tell them that violence is not ok and that if they do not stop, you will no longer be their friend.
-Tell an adult
What qualities might a good network support person have or need?
They need to be accessible, trustworthy, good listeners, sensible, and have the time to focus on you as an individual.
What could a person on your network do to break your trust?
Not believe you, say they will do something and not do it. Side with the perpetrator.
Why do some adults need to be included?
There are some situations where adults need to provide support for a situation to change.
Depending on the situation adults will have better judgment about what is safe and unsafe.
A thirteen year old is lost and has to stop and ask someone they don’t know for help.
What do you do to stay safe in this situation?
Ask someone in a busy, open area. Ask someone with children or someone your own age if possible. Refuse any rides. Avoid saying where you are staying/where you will be. Say you are meeting someone at your destination. Walk in front of someone.
A friend of yours has a new girlfriend. They have been exhibiting the following behaviours:
-Tell your friend that what they are doing is wrong
-Tell an adult. Or multiple.
-Tell the person that you can't be friends with them anymore because of their behaviour.
-Write down what you have seen happen.
Why do we need to identify network support people from different aspects of our lives?
It will be difficult to talk about some issues with one particular group.
What are the consequences if you don’t fulfil your responsibilities of telling the truth?
Breaking trust, damage to your support network, facing the fact you have abused your power.
Why is it sometimes difficult to ‘tell’ someone?
-uncomfortable
-admitting you did something wrong
-embarrassing
-worried they won't believe you
A young person walked into a public toilet to find two adults exchanging a package.
What do you do to stay safe?
-Walk out immediately
-Go stand by your friend/family/people you know
-Call the police
-Always go into the public toilet with another person you know. Or have them stand directly outside.
If you sit with a friend that is exhibiting problematic behaviours, does that mean you think the behaviour is ok?
Yes. It means you don't think that behaviour is not problematic enough to move away from them.
Why is it important to include an information/support website as part of your network?
-It is accessible 24/7
-It is a neutral source of information you can trust
-It has advice about what to do for different scenarios
What could you do if you have a small network?
Strengthen the connections you already have. Reach out to other people to build your support network. Be upfront with people and tell them you want them as your support network.
What advice would you give a friend who has a problem that needs to be told to an adult, who doesn't want to tell an adult?
-go with them
-tell them you can't help them further, the issue requires an adult
-rehearse what to say
-write things down
A sports coach puts his arm around a young athlete’s shoulder to offer advice and comfort.
Consider: is the person known to the student outside of school? Did the student ask for physical comfort?
If you are in this situation and you didn't ask for physical comfort, ask for a friend to come sit with you. Tell your parents later.
After you feel better, tell the coach that you appreciate the comfort, but don't want to be touched.
You need to tell a friend that their behaviour is problematic. But you are worried they will react badly. What do you do to stay safe?
-bring someone with you who will not make the problem worse
-Have the conversation in front of a teacher/adult