Position Paper and Child Helpline Data – December 2025
Domestic violence remains one of the most persistent and under-detected forms of violence affecting children across the European Union (EU). This report brings together annual data submitted by child helplines and findings from a dedicated consultation with child helplines from 16 EU Member States.
Every year, thousands of children turn to child helplines as the first safe and confidential place to disclose abuse happening in their homes. Together, the annual data and consultation findings provide a detailed picture of the scale, nature and impact of domestic violence on children, and the systemic gaps that continue to place them at risk.
Our key recommendations are:
Establish EU-wide minimum standards
Introduce consistent standards for reporting, referral and follow-up in domestic violence cases to ensure coordinated and timely responses across all Member States.
Strengthen legal and policy frameworks
Fully prohibit corporal punishment and formally recognize emotional and psychological violence as forms of harm requiring protection and intervention.
Improve inter-agency coordination and capacity
Enhance collaboration and resourcing across police, child protection, social services and mental health systems to reduce delays and ensure effective follow-up for children at risk.
Ensure sustainable funding for 116 111 child helplines
Provide long-term investment aligned with the Core Quality Standards for Child Helplines, including support for text-based services and robust, high-quality data systems.
Harmonize national data systems
Develop stronger, comparable national data frameworks and integrate child helpline data into national and EU-level monitoring mechanisms.
