Using child helplines to protect children from school violence

 Collating data collected across four countries (Zimbabwe, Paraguay, Sweden and Egypt), the report shows child helplines are in a unique position to help fight violence and abuse in schools. They are often young people’s first contact with any kind of child protection service, serving as accessible gateways to a world of help and support. Child helplines allow children to reach out when they need it, in real time and directly, to speak with someone in a safe, trustworthy environment. In 2010 alone, child helplines in the CHI network received over 14 million contacts!

 “Access to mobile technology coupled with these confidential helplines give a voice to children to expose what can often be taboo subjects. We know that these results are only the tip of the iceberg in exposing the level of abuse children are facing daily in schools”, says Plan International CEO Nigel Chapman.