Helplines

Child Helpline International is a network of children's helplines throughout the world aiming to strengthen its members and offer them a platform to communicate and share their expertise. CHI also facilitates establishing new helplines and takes an active role in advocating on a global level for children and their rights.

On 6th November 2008, 116 111, first free Polish helpline for children and youth has been launched. The number will be operated by the Nobody's Children Foundation. Launching of 116 111 in Poland was possible thanks to successful cooperation between the Ministry of Interior and Administration, Office of Electronic Communications, the Nobody's Children Foundation, and Polkomtel S.A., Official Sponsor and Technological Partner in the helpline implementation.

Romanian organisation Asociatia Telefonul Copilului will start operating the 116 111 number from 1st October 2008. In order to give the organisation necessary time to promote the new number, Romtelecom has agreed to keep the operation of the current number 0800 8200200 for 1 year, while redirecting the calls to 116 111.

Recently the Czech National Regulatory Authority assigned common European child helpline number 116 111 to Linka bezpeci in the Czech Republic.

With their main donor Telefonica O2 the child helpline is preparing a billboard campaign to publicise the number to all children in the Czech Republic.

Source: CHI newsletter May-June 2008