Violence remains one of the most common reasons why children and young people contact child helplines.
Between 2020 and 2024, child helplines across Europe recorded 1.3 million violence-related counselling contacts, including nearly 80,000 bullying-related contacts in 2024 alone. Technology-facilitated child sexual abuse and exploitation (TF-CSEA) is also rising, with 10,107 contacts in 2024, up from 6,200 the previous year.
Child helplines provide confidential, real-time support, often facilitating first-time disclosures and connecting children to national protection systems.
As more children seek help online (with 31% of contacts in 2024 made via webchat, messaging apps or social media), it is essential that emerging age-verification or platform-restriction measures do not block children’s ability to reach a helpline discreetly, especially when unsafe at home.
This advocacy briefing outlines key trends in violence against children, including digital forms of harm, and presents recommendations to strengthen EU action across prevention, detection and response.
The paper has been shared with key Members of the European Parliament, including those in LIBE, the Intergroup on Children’s Rights and the Mental Health Intergroup, to inform ongoing legislative and implementation processes.
