Victims

Any child or young person will be interviewed in respect of sexual offences that they have been subjected to or witnessed. The interview may take place in a purpose built suite that may be at a Police Station or another place and may be recorded in writing or visually recorded. The interviewer will be a specially trained Police Officer, who may, dependant on the circumstances, be accompanied by a social worker.

When interviewed in such circumstances, the child ideally will be alone in the interview room with the interviewer, but in certain circumstances a relative may be allowed to sit and observe what happens.

If the relative is also a witness in the case they will not be permitted to be present whilst the child is being interviewed.

An assault is any act intentionally or recklessly causing the victim immediate and unlawful personal injury or violence. If violence is threatened, there must be the ability to carry out the threat at the time.

In law, an assault does not have to involve physical contact. An assault may involve a threat alone; however there must be the prospect of the threat being carried out immediately and for the victim to fear that the threat will be carried out immediately.

There is no such specific offence as road rage, it is a term that has been used to describe various incidents involving motor vehicles, their drivers and other road users. Road rage has been used to describe minor incidents from a gesticulating driver and a driver shouting obscenities to incidents where drivers have been assaulted or their cars damaged by other drivers or pedestrians.

Minor mistakes such as pulling out in front of you or pushing in, in a queue are minor faults that admittedly are very annoying but are something that most of us do from time to time and by retaliating will only make matters worse.

If you have been the victim of a more serious incident where serious threats or damage have been made to you or your car then you need to report the incident to Police Scotland by dialling 101. It is important to have as much information about the offending person and/ or the vehicle involved.

If you are involved in one of the more serious incidents and the incident is ongoing and you are in fear for your safety then call 999.

Please be aware that the police may not be able to report an offender unless there is sufficient evidence such as an independent witness.

Firstly you should speak to your parents or guardian. Whatever has happened, your parents or guardians may be more supportive than you think. Your parents were young once and although initially they might be shocked/angry, hopefully they would do their utmost to help you.

If you feel that you cannot speak to your parents then perhaps a trusted adult, a family friend or a relative will be able to help you.

If you do not feel confident confiding in them then perhaps try Childline 0800 1111. With Childline you are completely in control, you can say as much or as little as you want. However, the more you say, the more likely it is that you will get the best advice.

You can also contact the police. The police have specialist officers that are trained to deal with young people and their problems.

Whatever has happened to you, however serious your problem, it will have happened to someone else and you are not alone. You will feel better for sharing your problems with someone who is better equipped to advise you.

For more help and information please see the websites in related information.