As we approach the Global Ministerial Conference on Ending Violence Against Children in Bogotá, Colombia, we are reminded that violence against children is not just a problem in some corners of the world—it’s a universal crisis. Violence impacts children across geographies, cultures, and socio-economic contexts. It threatens their health, disrupts their education, and shatters their well-being. Yet, there is hope. Child helplines, acting as lifelines for millions of children and young people, play a unique role in addressing and ultimately preventing this violence.
At Child Helpline International, we are committed to advancing these critical services worldwide, creating a coordinated network that can respond, refer, protect and prevent.
In Bogotá, government leaders, advocates and partners will gather to discuss new strategies and recommit to ending violence against children. As they do so, child helplines must be positioned as integral parts of the solution. Here’s why:
1. Responding in Real Time
When a child reaches out for help, a child helpline’s response can mean the difference between safety and continued harm. Child helplines are often the first point of contact for children and young people experiencing abuse, bullying, neglect or exploitation. In many cases, they’re available 24/7, providing children with a safe, non-judgemental space to talk about their experiences, usually anonymously. Trained child helpline counsellors offer immediate crisis intervention and emotional support, whether by phone, text, online chat or social media.
The availability of a quick, confidential response is critical, especially in situations where a child may fear involving their family, friends or community due to shame or stigma. It’s the child helpline counsellor’s task to earn their trust, provide empathetic support and take immediate action to keep them safe. By serving as a direct, immediate response mechanism, child helplines become a fundamental asset in the battle against violence.
2. Building Referral Pathways for Comprehensive Support
Child helplines are not standalone services; they operate within a broader framework of child protection services. When a child or young person needs additional support beyond the initial contact – such as legal assistance, medical care or safe shelter – child helplines play a pivotal role in connecting them with these services. By partnering with local and national child protection agencies, child helplines build referral pathways that ensure every child and young person has access to the resources they need for sustained protection.
…But creating effective referral pathways takes more than just identifying resources; it requires strong partnerships. Child helplines collaborate with schools, health providers, police, social workers and other support organizations to form a safety net that catches children before they fall through the cracks. These coordinated efforts amplify each organization’s capacity to protect children and ensure they receive holistic support.
3. Aiding in Protection Through Follow-Up
Protection doesn’t end with the initial intervention – it’s an ongoing commitment. After referring a child or young person to appropriate services, many child helplines continue to check in, ensuring that the child receives the necessary follow-up support and is not re-victimized. This continuity of care is crucial in building a child’s trust in the system and reassuring them that their well-being matters.
Additionally, child helplines gather data on recurring issues, identify at-risk groups and monitor the effectiveness of referrals and interventions. By keeping track of cases and outcomes, child helplines can provide policymakers and child protection services with valuable insights into how interventions impact children’s lives and where additional support is needed.
4. Preventing Future Violence
Prevention is the ultimate goal, and child helplines contribute to this in several ways. Firstly, they empower children by educating them about their rights and informing them of their options in the face of violence. When children know they have someone to turn to, they are more likely to seek help early, preventing situations from escalating. Many child helplines also conduct outreach campaigns in schools and communities, raising awareness about violence against children and promoting protective behaviors among children, families, and communities.
Moreover, child helplines provide valuable data that can shape policy and inform preventive strategies. The data collected by child helplines highlight the prevalence, types and patterns of violence that children experience, as well as how children respond to it. These insights help child protection agencies and governments understand where and why violence is happening, enabling targeted preventive measures. By advocating for systemic changes, child helplines become not only responders but powerful drivers of change in the effort to prevent violence altogether.
MOVING FORWARD: A Call to Action for the Global Community
The 1st Global Ministerial Conference on Ending Violence Against Children is an essential opportunity to bring the importance of child helplines to the forefront. We are calling on governments, international organizations, NGOs and private sector partners to recognize and support the vital role of child helplines in responding to, referring, protecting and preventing violence against children.
Investment in these services – whether through funding, capacity building or policy support – strengthens the global safety net for children. It empowers child helplines to expand their reach, increase their accessibility and provide quality support to every child and young person who needs it. We have seen the life-saving power of child helplines time and time again. Now, we need the commitment to position them as essential components of every child protection system worldwide.
Together, let’s ensure that every child knows they have someone to turn to and that every community has the tools to keep their children safe. At Child Helpline International, we are ready to partner, advocate and act. Ending violence against children may be a global goal, but through coordinated efforts, we can achieve it – one call, one message, one child at a time.
Let’s make Bogotá the beginning of a new chapter in the protection of children everywhere.
Patrick Krens (Executive Director) and Helen Mason (Director of Partnerships & Operations) of Child Helpline International are attending the 1st Global Ministerial Conference on Ending Violence Against Children in Bogotá, Colombia (7-8 November 2024).
