Anti-social behaviour
Having a safe conversation about ASB
If you are experiencing anti-social behaviour (ASB) at home, you might feel unsure about speaking to the person responsible. It can feel awkward, or you may worry that you are overreacting or could make things worse.
In many cases, a calm, face-to-face conversation can resolve issues more effectively than leaving a note or ignoring the problem. Always think about your safety, and the safety of others, before you decide to speak to someone.
Before you speak to someone
Only approach the person if you feel safe to do so. If you have any concerns about your safety, do not start a conversation.
How to approach the conversation
When you speak to the person, keep the conversation calm and constructive:
- start with a friendly, conversational tone, for example: "Hi, how are you? Do you have a minute to talk about…"
- avoid sounding confrontational or accusatory
- explain how their behaviour is affecting you and others
- focus on the behaviour and its impact, not the person
- be prepared that they may not realise there is a problem
- try to agree together what changes could help resolve the issue
- if the conversation becomes aggressive or threatening, leave straight away
- thank them for their time and encourage open communication in future
If you do not feel comfortable speaking to them
If the behaviour is serious, or you do not feel confident speaking to the person, you can report it in other ways.