Supporting your child amidst the racial attacks taking place in the UK

Topics mentioned: Southport violence, racism and discrimination, talking to your child about mental health

About: Our Parents Helpline experts offer guidance and advice on how to support your child or young person during this difficult time of widespread racial violence in the UK.

Over the last few weeks, mass violence and racial attacks have broken out across the UK, with Muslim, Black, Racialised and Asylum Seeking communities being specifically targeted. The violence came after a distressing event in Southport, where 3 young girls, Bebe King, Elsie Dot Stancombe, and Alice Dasilva Aguiar, were killed and several other children left critical after a knife attack. Lots of people across the country are living in a state of fear, feeling threatened and have been directly harmed by what has taken place. Many people are scared to leave their homes, connect with their communities at places of Worship and feel unable to carry on with their daily lives, such as taking public transport.

Your child may be experiencing a range of different emotions in response to these events. Some young people will be directly impacted, especially if violence has broken out in their local area or they belong to a community who is being targeted, for example the Muslim community.

Other young people will be distressed from what they have seen or heard. They may feel upset, anxious, frustrated or scared. It is important to let them know that whatever they feel is valid, and that you are there for them no matter what.

Scenes of violence across the UK are incredibly distressing and unsettling to see. Young people can sometimes find it hard to protect themselves online and may find it hard to “switch off”.

They can protect themselves by:

Make your child is aware of the misinformation that is being circulated online. Harmful information about certain groups is being shared across social media and fuelling the violence that is taking place across the UK. Encourage your child to look at reputable sites and news channels to gain information on the situation, and to discuss anything that is bothering them with you. You can support your child in identifying harmful content and challenge it together.

The events continue to change and unfold, with violence breaking out in new areas of the country. If your child is out and about, it is important they know what to do if things start to feel unsafe. Talk to your child about areas to avoid (for instance locations where protests have or are likely to take place), encourage them to keep in touch with you during the day, and plan what they can do if they need help.

If they find themselves in a situation where they need urgent help, they should not hesitate to contact 999. This is especially important during the summer holiday period when your child may have more time to meet up with friends and family members.