For young people
Personal safety for young people covers a broad range of issues, from physical safety in public spaces to digital security online, such as:
- physical, mental, and emotional safety
- online/digital safety
- having and maintaining situational awareness.
| Important numbers | Contact |
|---|---|
| Emergencies | 000 |
| Police assistance | 131 444 |
| Fire assistance | 132 500 |
| NT Emergency Services assistance | 08 8999 3473 |
| Crime Stoppers NT (to report suspicious behaviour) | 1800 333 000 |
| Victims of Crime NT | 1800 672 242 |
| NT Mental Health Line | 1800 682 288 |
To ensure your personal safety it requires you to:
- educate yourself and keep up to date with current information
- encourage and maintain open communication with family and friends, and
- introduce practical strategies to deal with situations.
Having the knowledge and tools to protect yourself, will you help navigate 'life' with a greater confidence and security.
- Be aware of your surroundings.
- Trust your instincts and leave situations your feel unsafe or uncomfortable.
- Understand the risks with alcohol and drug use and how to safe at parties or social events.
- Create a list of emergency contacts.
- Have a buddy system in place.
- Identify safe routes and trusted places.
- Understand what privacy settings are, the purpose and how to activate them.
- Understand the risks of sharing person information and what not to share.
- Know what makes a strong and unique password and understand the importance of not sharing passwords.
- Learn what is cyberbullying, how situations occur and how to handle and report cyberbullying.
- Keep open lines of communication with your family or friends about your online experiences.
- Be cautious again meeting online friends in person without others support or adult supervision.
- Understand a healthy versus an unhealthy relationship, both on and off-line.
- Equip yourself with strategies to handle peer pressure, to help you make decisions based on your values an comfort levels.
- Foster an environment where you feel comfortable to discuss your concerns and experiences.
Hosting, planning or attending parties
The NT Government's website has some great tips about hosting, attending and planning parties for young people.
Territorians of all kinds enjoy partying and celebrating. Whether it's a beer at the bar, a few more at a festival or an all-night rave, just be prepared and stay safe.
Alcohol and drugs can impair judgment and make you more vulnerable to dangerous situations.
Here are some simple tips to help reduce the risk of things going wrong by:
- knowing how you're getting to and from the event or location
- knowing your limits – especially when consuming alcohol
- being aware of drink spiking - never leave your drink unattended
- watching out for your friends
- being aware of drug use.
School leavers (schoolies)
Planning on attending a 'schoolies' event at the end of your school 'years'?
Find out how to keep you and your friends safe, especially if you are planning an overseas trip.
Go to the Smartravellers website for tips on keeping yourself and your friends safe while to enjoy your 'schoolies' experience.
Mental health support for young people
Go to the NT Government's website for a list of support and services, along with contact details, to help with mental health.
Go to our social and emotional well-being page for more information.
Find out more
Who can help
NT Mental Health Line
Free call: 1800 6782 288
NT Police
Call 131 444 in non-emergencies.
In emergencies call 000
Victims of Crime NT
Free call: 1800 672 242
Darwin: 08 8941 0995
Alice Springs: 08 8952 4466
Crime Stoppers NT
Call 1800 333 000
Neighbourhood Watch NT
Call 08 8999 0847