love is respect
Support for young people with questions about dating, boundaries, unhealthy relationships, and abuse.
Get Help
There is help. You are not alone.
What kind of help do you need?
Choose the option that feels closest to what you need. You do not have to be completely sure.
Immediate danger
Get somewhere safer and contact emergency help.
What you can do now
- Call or text 911 if there is an emergency that threatens life or safety.
- If you can, move toward a safer place or a trusted adult.
- You do not need to explain everything perfectly before asking for help.
Trusted adult
You deserve an adult who listens and takes you seriously.
Who could I talk to?
- A parent, caregiver, relative, or another adult you trust
- A teacher, school counselor, nurse, coach, or administrator
- A doctor, therapist, youth advocate, or community leader
What could I say?
You can start simply: “Something is happening and I don't feel okay about it. Can you listen and help me figure out what to do next?”
Some adults are required to report certain safety concerns. You can ask what they may need to share before you tell them details.
Healthcare
A healthcare professional can help with your physical health and safety.
Places you could start
- Your doctor or clinic
- A school nurse or health center
- An urgent care center or emergency department when urgent care is needed
You can ask questions first
Before sharing details, you can ask what will stay private and what the provider may be required to report. Privacy rules can depend on your age, location, and situation.
Healthcare and relationship-abuse information ↗Mental health support
You can ask for support even if you do not know exactly what to call what you're feeling.
Washington Teen Link
Teen Link is a free, private peer-support service for young people in Washington. Teen peers are available every day from 6–10 p.m.; the official site lists current call, text, and chat availability.
988
988 provides free, confidential crisis and emotional-support services 24/7 in the United States.
Reporting
Where you report depends on what happened and where it happened.
Child abuse or neglect in Washington
Washington DCYF receives reports of suspected child abuse or neglect. Its official reporting page lists regional intake numbers and after-hours information.
School or online concerns
- At school, you can tell a counselor, teacher, administrator, or another adult you trust.
- For online harassment or harmful content, you can use the platform's reporting tools and tell a trusted adult.
- If there is an immediate threat to safety, contact emergency services.
Legal information
You can learn about your options without having to figure out the legal system alone.
Washington LawHelp
Washington LawHelp, maintained by Northwest Justice Project, provides free legal information about safety, protection orders, survivors' rights, housing, family issues, and more.
View safety information ↗Washington Courts
Washington State Courts provides self-help information and routes people to legal-aid options. Legal rules can depend on age and circumstances, so qualified legal help is best for advice about your situation.
Find legal help ↗Home safety
If home does not feel safe, you do not have to handle it by yourself.
Reach out
- Tell an adult who makes you feel safer, such as a relative, counselor, teacher, doctor, or coach.
- If the first person does not help, it is okay to tell someone else.
- If there is an immediate emergency, call 911 or go to a safer place if you can.
Washington support
DCYF provides official information for reporting suspected child abuse or neglect. Teen Link can also help Washington teens talk through what is happening and find local resources.
Leaving a relationship
You do not have to make a big decision alone.
Start with support
A trusted adult or trained advocate can listen, help you think through your options, and connect you with local support. You can ask for help even if you are not ready to end the relationship.
Washington programs
The Washington State Coalition Against Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault has a directory for local domestic-violence and sexual-assault programs across Washington.
Find Washington support ↗Not sure
You do not need the perfect words before you ask for help.
Try one small next step
You could talk to a trusted adult, contact Teen Link, or explore the Am I Safe? and Healthy vs. Unhealthy pages. You can start with the part that feels easiest.
Talk to someone
Teen Link is a Washington peer-support service where teens can talk with trained teen volunteers about school, family, dating, friends, or whatever is on their mind.
Visit Teen Link ↗Washington resources
Find support close to home.
Teen Link's Where to Turn for Teens database includes vetted Washington resources for mental health, physical health, legal services, shelter, community support, and more.
Trusted resources
You can contact these organizations directly or use them to learn more about your options.
Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline
Support and guidance for concerns about child abuse. Childhelp is not Washington's official reporting line and does not replace emergency services.
RAINN National Sexual Assault Hotline
Free, confidential support related to sexual assault or abuse.
Washington DCYF
Official Washington information for reporting suspected child abuse or neglect.
Teen Link — Washington
Free peer support by teens for teens. Current call, text, and chat hours are listed on the official site.
Resources reviewed August 2026. Contact details and hours can change; official linked sites are the source of truth.
You deserve support
You do not have to know exactly what to do next.
Asking one safe person for help can be a first step.
