May 17th has been designated as International Child Helpline Day. Every year, this day is dedicated to the worldwide work that is being done for the operation of the children's helplines. Children’s helplines aim to help perhaps the most vulnerable group of the population, by raising their voices and ensuring their rights, which are often overlooked. As a result, all children can receive the help and support they need.
The International, Independent, Humanitarian Organization "Hope For Children" CRC Policy Center, with the vision of defending the rights of every child, provides, among others, telephone support services for children. Specifically, the following helplines are operating, with the aim to ensure the best interest of the child:
“Hope For Children” Helpline 1466: It concerns a new helpline of the organization which was recently launched. It is operating on a 24-hours basis, 365 days a year, free of charge to anyone who calls. The helpline mainly aims to provide children and families with psychological, social and legal support, counselling and guidance on issues related to child protection.
European Helpline for Children and Adolescents 116 111: The helpline works exclusively for children and adolescents. It operates between 12:00 - 20:00 from Monday to Friday, and on Saturdays between 09:30 - 14:00. The European helpline is being implemented in Cyprus by “Hope For Children” CRC Policy Centre in cooperation with the Association for the Prevention and Handling of Violence in the Family (SPAVO).
European Hotline for Missing Children 116 000: The particular helpline is operating 7 days a week, 24 hours a day, and it can be called free of charge. The helpline 116000 is a significant tool aiming to prevent and handle cases of missing children, facilitates the access to support services for the relatives of missing children, as well as the coordination with the authorities and NGOs at national and transnational level. HFC in cooperation with SPAVO are responsible for the operation of the helpline in Cyprus, on the basis of the Protocol of Cooperation signed by the two organizations with the Ministry of Justice and Public Order.
HFC is a member of the Child Helpline International network, and follows the best practices for child support helplines, as proposed internationally.
Child Helpline International is a global network of 173 child helplines in 146 countries worldwide, which share a common aim of defending children's rights and strengthening their voices. Each year, child support helplines around the world respond to more than 20 million individual requests from people in need.
The International Child Helpline Day 2020 is dedicated to all the professionals for their continuous work by providing support through child support helplines during the COVID-19 pandemic, responding to the growing needs which emerge on a daily basis.
For more information you can call “Hope For Children” helpline 1466.
