Letter to the European Commission on Children’s Online Protection
Calling for children’s voices to shape EU digital policy
In December, Child Helpline International, together with our national members Børns Vilkår (Denmark) and BRIS (Sweden), sent a letter to President Ursula von der Leyen of the European Commission calling for children’s voices to be placed at the centre of EU policymaking on online safety. Drawing on direct insights from millions of contacts to child […]
The Role of Child Helplines in Ending Domestic Violence Against Children in the EU
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 […]
Recommendations for Strengthening EU Action to Protect Children from Violence
Data-Driven Findings to Inform EU Efforts on Prevention, Detection and Support
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 […]
Recommendations for the Improvement of Mental Health of children and young people across Europe
Data from European child helplines
Across Europe, mental health is the leading reason why children and young people contact child helplines. Between 2020 and 2024, child helplines received 2.9 million mental-health-related contacts (39% of all counselling contacts), including more than 1 million linked to fear, anxiety or mood problems, and nearly 700,000 involving self-harm or suicidal thoughts. In 2024 alone, […]
116 111 Turns 18: A Coming of Age for Europe’s Harmonized Child Helpline Number
On 29 October 2007, the European Commission reserved a special number for children across the continent: 116 111. From that moment on, children and young people in Europe had a simple, free-of-charge number they could dial to find help, support and someone who would listen. Over the years, 116 111 has grown into a lifeline […]
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 […]
Recommendations for the implementation of the EU Anti-Trafficking Directive
Turning children's rights commitment to good practices
Together with our partners Child Helpline International is offering a series of recommendations for the implementation of the European Union’s Anti-Trafficking Directive. As civil society organizations with decades of experience at national, EU and international levels in promoting and defending children’s rights, we welcome the introduction of child, disability and gender rights in the Directive. […]
Child Helplines and the EU Network for Children’s Rights: Synergies and Opportunities
A few weeks ago, I had the honour to participate in the 2nd meeting of the recently established EU Network for Children’s Rights, representing Child Helpline International as Deputy Regional Representative for Europe. Organised by the office of the European Commission Coordinator for the Rights of the Child at DG Justice and Consumers, the meeting […]
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 […]
A Vision for Victims’ Rights
On 16 November, I attended Victim Support Europe’s presentation of their Vision for a Revised Victims’ Rights Directive at the EU Commission in Brussels. This event included a Keynote Speech by the EU Commissioner for Justice at the European Commission, as well as two panel discussions led by Saskia Bricmont, (MEP at the European Parliament) […]