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 […]
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 […]
Child helplines and children who run away
On 15 November 2022, our partner organisation Missing Children Europe celebrated its 20th anniversary and hosted the conference Under the Radar – Towards More Integrated Child Protection Responses for Children who Run Away from Home or Care. I was kindly invited to share the perspectives of child helplines and child helpline data in the Plenary […]
Today we celebrate 15 years of 116 111!
In celebration of 15 years of 116 111, we must ensure that child helplines are protected through proper resourcing and their recognition as essential services for children.
Preventing and Combatting Child Sexual Abuse: Feedback on Regulation of EU Parliament & Council
Child Helpline International and our network of child helpline members in the EU welcome the objectives of the Regulation to provide a robust approach to preventing and combating child sexual abuse. Child Helpline International supports the increased obligation on interpersonal communication services to act in the fight against child sexual abuse. We welcome the strong […]
Every Child Has a Voice: Children on the Move
According to the UNCRC, no children and young people should be discriminated against when children’s rights are realised (Article 2), and children also have the right to special protection and support if they are refugees (Article 22). In reality, migrant children and youth remain at particular risk of rightlessness. Child helplines worldwide are increasingly coming […]
Every Child Has a Voice: LGBTQI+ Youth
According to the UNCRC, when children’s rights are realised (Article 2) no children or young people should be facing discrimination. Despite improvements in legislation, public attitudes and a growing visibility of diversity of gender and sexuality in popular culture, LGBTQI+ children and young people remain at heightened risk of violence and discrimination in school, within the family, […]