When Should I Tell?

By Jan Pinborough

Church Magazines

Illustration by Brad Teare

When Should I Tell?

If somebody is—

• Playing a dangerous game

• Taking medicine that isn’t his

• Eating, drinking, or sniffing something strange

• Hurting her body

• Doing something he doesn’t want adults to know about

If somebody—

• Tries to get you to do anything from the list above

• Shows pictures of people without clothes

• Asks you to look at or touch his or her body or let him or her look at or touch your body

• Asks you to keep a secret about something that makes you feel bad

• Is bullying or talking disrespectfully to you or someone else—in person, by text, or online

If something—

• Makes you feel unsafe or uncomfortable

• Doesn’t seem right or gives you an “uh-oh” feeling

Listen to the Holy Ghost and trust your feelings!

Whom Should I Tell?

• A parent, grandparent, or guardian

• A schoolteacher or counselor

• A Church teacher or leader

• An older brother or sister

• A doctor

• A friend who can help you tell an adult

You don’t need to feel alone with a secret. An adult can help you know what to do. Keep telling people until you get the help you need.

Be brave! You are strong. Speaking up can help you and others be safe!