The global network of child helplines mark the International Child Helpline Day by calling on governments to implement the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), in particular urgently to end all forms of violence against children as Goal 16.2 and related targets oblige Member States to “end abuse, exploitation, trafficking and all forms of violence against and torture of children…” including physical and sexual violence, mental violence and psychological abuse, and neglect or negligent treatment.
We make reference to the Bangkok Declaration, ratified by the General Assembly of Child helplines gathered in Bangkok (Thailand) on 16th November 2016 for the Eighth International Consultation of Child Helpline International[1].
Key facts
- Child helplines operating in 142 countries uphold the child’s right to protection from violence.
- In 2015 child helplines answered nearly 20 million contacts from children and young people worldwide.
- One out ofseven contacts concerns abuse and violence.
- Children in disaster areas and conflict zones are at special risk.
- Gender based violence causes several forms of violence against children.
- Child helplines listen, counsel, refer, assist and provide other essential services to children in need.
Governments should:
- Ensure that every child in all countries has information about and access to high quality child helpline support so that children exposed to abuse and violence can be supported and responded to.
- Adopt appropriate legal provisions banning all forms of violence against children and providing for sufficient resources to bring violators to justice.
- Use the voices of children, including the data from child helplines, to further advance the implementation of children’s rights in national child protection.
- Implement target 16.2 of the SDG’s: “End abuse, exploitation, trafficking and all forms of violence against and torture of children” in all settings, including homes and families, schools and institutions, in communities and public spaces.
We furthermore call upon governments as well as our partners in civil society, international agencies and the private sector, including telecoms and other industry partners, to:
- Recognise and communicate that no violence against children is ever justifiable;
- Support the sustainability of child helplines through providing adequate resources to ensure their ability to operate;
- Recognise child helplines’ unique capacity to bring the voices of children out in the public domain to emphasise the situation of children subject to violence.
‘As we move forward steadily with the implementation of the sustainable development agenda, it is important that national governments and other relevant national, regional and global stakeholders support Child Helpline International.
We must continue to listen carefully to children and act upon their experiences in order to strengthen national child-protection systems and create a world that truly fulfils its commitments to its youngest and most valuable citizens.’
Marta Santos Pais,
Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Violence against Children
Child Helpline in Georgia
Child helpline givers children the opportunity to shares their thoughts, feelings and needs. Trusted by children and youth in many countries, supports them to feel safe. Millions of children across the world contact child helplines annually. One of the values of the service is that conversation with the beneficiary is confidential. The number 116 11 is a social number, which belongs to children across the Europe.
In 2008, the Public Health Foundation of Georgia (PHF) has established Child Helpline with European harmonized number 116 111 giving the opportunity to children and youth to share their concerns and seek support when needed. Currently, PHF tries to develop this service in the framework of the EU-funded project “Advocacy for Child and Youth Protection”. Child helpline of PHF via telephone communication supports children, youth, adults – parents, child professionals and any individuals who want to share child related problems. Child helpline works from Monday to Friday from 10:00 am. To 18:00 pm.
Child helpline is an essential part f the child protection system. Child helpline in Georgia needs development to make it accessible for all children across the country during 24/7.
The Public Health Foundation of Georgia is associated member of Child Helpline International (CHI), while CHI acts as an associate partner in the project “Advocacy for Child and Youth Protection”.
[1] Please, visit the following link for the full text of the Bangkok Declaration:
http://www.childhelplineinternational.org/media/173655/chi_bangkok_declaration_-_draft.pdf
Important links
https://www.facebook.com/ChildHelplineInternational
https://twitter.com/CHIamsterdam
About Child helpline International
Child Helpline International is one of the world’s largest collective impact organisations. Our network brings together 181 organisations in 139 countries, and fields millions of contacts a year from children and youth in need of help and guidance. Until our founding in 2003, our members did their work in isolation, with little influence, no access to each other or those in power. We at Child Helpline International are transforming that!
We support the creation of new child helplines and strengthen our network by sharing what we learn from the best of them, with all of them. We also collect and interpret data from our child helpline members. These millions of individual stories form a mosaic of how and where in the world children and young people are suffering injustice, abuse and dangers. We present those stories to policy influencers and effect the changes that improve conditions for children, both at the global and local levels.
Every child has a voice. Our mission is to make their voices heard, respected and acted upon because only when children are heard, they are empowered to participate in society and fulfil their potential. www.childhelplineinternational.org
What is Child Helpline?
Child helplines fulfil the child’s fundamental right to be heard. They offer support and guidance to children who, day after day, experience violence, abuse and discrimination, and have no one else to turn to. They represent the most trusted and accessible way for a child to find help.
Children can contact their child helpline in a variety of ways: by phone, or through online technologies, like smartphones and tablets. They can leave their message in specific drop-boxes in schools or community centres or go to the helpline hub and ask for someone to talk to. There are times and circumstances when children may not be able to contact a child helpline. For instance when children live in the street or in some marginalised areas. In all these cases, child helplines do their best to reach out to them and offer the support they need.
No one knows how to make a difference in troubled young lives like the people who listen to these heart-rending stories every day. Through empathic listening, child helpline counsellors guide children towards the resources and the assistance they need, and protect them from further violence and other forms of harm. They advise, inform and empower young kids up to the point where the child himself/herself is ready for actions and reactions. Without their critical job, children would be left unheard.
Public Health Foundation of Georgia (PHF)
Contact information:
Address: 4, Edisher Magalashvili Street; Apt. 1; Tbilisi 0186, Georgia.
Tel: (032) 2 421 422;
Child Helpline 116 111;
Contact person: Tamar Koiava, Child Helpline Manager
For detailed information about the Public Health Foundation of Georgia, please visit our website:
Facebook: The public health foundation of georgia – phf
The project “Advocacy for Child and Youth Protection” is implemented by the Public Health Foundation of Georgia. Rehabilitation and Development Charity Centre Tanaziari, “Step Forward” and International Child Catholic Bureau (BICE) are project co-applicants.
Batumi Shota Rustaveli State University and Child Helpline International perform as project Associate partners.
