Amplifying the Voices of Children & Young People in Europe
Key Insights from 2023 Child Helpline Data on Mental Health and Violence
This report brings together data from 2023 from 36 child helplines across Europe, highlighting the essential role they play in supporting children and young people through some of their most challenging experiences. The findings of this report reveal an urgent need for more robust support systems to address mental health and violence – two key […]
The Role of Child Helplines in Promoting Children & Young People’s Mental Health Across Europe
29 October 2024 marks 17 years since 116 111 became the harmonized child helpline number across the European Union, expanding over time to 30 European countries. Initiated in 2007 following dedicated advocacy by Child Helpline International and its partners, 116 111 was designed to be a free, accessible child helpline number, providing young people with […]
Child Helplines in Europe and Children in Migration
Barriers to Access and Good Practices
Upon invitation from the Belgian Presidency of the EU, I attended the Expert Seminar on European and International Policy Agendas on Children, Youth Affairs and Children’s Rights. The objective of this event was to bring together experts and policymakers in these fields to discuss the European and international policy agendas with a focus on policy […]
116 111: Same number, same service
The Harmonized Number for Child Helplines in Europe: Gaps and Opportunities
The harmonized 116 111 number for child helplines stands as an essential service for children seeking support, recognizing the significance of providing easily memorable numbers in times of distress. Its crucial role lies in simplifying access to assistance, notably reducing help-seeking barriers as 116 111 is connected to organizations that children recognize and trust with […]
Happy Anniversary 116 111!
16 Years of Our Harmonized Child Helpline Number in Europe Today we celebrate 16 years of 116 111 – the harmonized child helpline number in the European Union. 116 111 is operational in 23 of the 27 member states of the EU, and in seven other European countries. The 2007 decision by the EC was the […]
The Key Role of Child Helplines in Protecting Children Against (Online) Child Sexual Exploitation & Abuse
It is estimated that 1 in 5 children in Europe fall victim to some form of sexual abuse during their childhood. Child sexual abuse and exploitation (CSEA) are serious crimes that have wide-ranging and life-long consequences for survivors. Child sexual exploitation and abuse can take many forms, and the influx of new technology into children’s […]
The Role of Child Helplines in Protecting Children in Europe Against Sexual Exploitation & Abuse
Prevention, Detection and Victim Support Position Paper and Child Helpline Data – April 2023 It needs to be easier for children and adults to report child sexual exploitation and abuse, and access to trauma-informed, child-friendly, high-quality support for victims must be improved. It also needs to be easier for law enforcement to detect, investigate and […]
The Story of 116
Part Two: The Importance of Harmonised Numbers This year, we’re celebrating 16 years of 116 111 – the harmonised number for child helplines in Europe. In an ongoing series of posts, we’re exploring the story of the harmonised number for child helplines, how it came about, and why it’s so important for children to have […]
Ukraine Crisis Response: 3-day Workshop in Hungary
As part of Child Helpline International’s Ukraine Crisis Response project, from 13 to 15 March we conducted a 3-day workshop in Budapest. This training, the fourth in a seven-part series of in-country sessions conducted in partnership with UNICEF ECARO, focused on increasing child helpline counsellors and front-line worker’s knowledge of mental health and psychosocial support issues […]
The Story of 116 111
Part One: A Call for Harmonisation Today marks the 16th anniversary of the 116 xyz numbers – the numbers of social value in the European Union. For children and young people, having a short, easy-to-remember number to access child helpline support is essential, as it helps make safe and confidential support from child helplines much […]