e are really sorry to hear you're going through this, and it’s so brave of you to reach out. Abuse is never okay, no matter what, and it’s important that you don’t try to deal with this on your own. You deserve to be safe and treated with respect.
The first step is to talk to someone you trust, whether that's a friend, parent, teacher, counsellor or another trusted adult. If it feels too hard to say out loud, you can always write it down or message someone for help.
Calling Kids Helpline is a good place to start – they are super friendly, open 24/7 and can help you no matter who is abusing you. Call 1800 55 1800, or they have a webchat option - https://kidshelpline.com.au/get-help/webchat-counselling . They are able to help anyone aged 5 – 25yo.
In Cairns, there are also these services:
For support for sexual abuse: True Family & Child Service (you can call 4281 6893),
For domestic &/or family violence support: Cairns Regional Domestic Violence Service (4033 6100), where they can offer support and advice on what steps to take to stay safe.
You don't have to handle this alone — there are people who want to help you. If you're in immediate danger, please don’t wait. Call 000, or talk to someone as soon as you can. You deserve to live without fear, and there are people ready to help you.
It’s totally normal to be curious, especially when you're close with someone and want to understand them better. The thing is, you can't really know if someone is gay unless they tell you. Everyone figures out their identity in their own time, and it’s important to give your friend space to feel comfortable sharing when they’re ready.
If they do open up to you, just be supportive and show that you’ve got their back. But if they don’t, that’s cool too! What really matters is that you keep being a good friend and treating them the same way you always have.
At the end of the day, everyone deserves to be themselves without feeling pressured. And hey, if you’re ever confused or have questions, that’s totally fine — it shows you care! Friendship is all about trust, so just keep being the awesome friend you already are.
Respecting people’s boundaries is super important because it shows that we care about their feelings, and it’s a big part of understanding consent.
Consent means making sure someone is okay with what we’re doing—whether it’s playing a game, giving a hug, or even just talking about something personal.
When we respect boundaries, we’re checking in to make sure everyone feels comfortable and safe. This helps build strong, trusting friendships where everyone feels valued and respected. Plus, when you respect others’ boundaries, they’re more likely to do the same for you!
Bullying is never okay, even when someone might be a bit (or a lot) different to you.
People might bully others because they’re feeling insecure, unhappy, or trying to fit in – but it’s never the right way to deal with those feelings.
Remember, we’re all different and unique, and that’s what makes the world interesting and beautiful. Everyone has their own strengths, weaknesses, and experiences that shape who they are. It's important to celebrate these differences and treat each other with respect and kindness.
If you ever feel the urge to bully or see it happening, try to talk to a someone you trust to unpack the feels behind it. Everyone deserves to feel safe, respected, and valued just the way they are. You could talk to a trusted adult, or even call Kids Helpline to talk about it 1800 55 1800.
