Euro-MP calls for common EU child helpline

4.37.27pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 18th Oct 2005

Members of the European Parliament, including Liz Lynne MEP, have signed a Written Declaration calling on the European Union to support a European child helpline.

Liz Lynne MEP said in Brussels,

"A Europe-wide telephone helpline is a wonderful idea. Children should be provided with a simple, easy to remember number that will allow them to get help quickly.

"A helpline that is available twenty-four hours a day will allow children to access a friendly, sympathetic person whenever they need help. I encourage all member states in the European Union to quickly adopt a common child helpline number.

"I hope children's rights networks and other NGOs working on behalf of children can play an active role in shaping the policy and implementation of the child helpline. NGOs involved should also have EU funding possibilities made available to them like other human rights sectors.

"A child helpline is already in existence across 30 countries in Europe. There is no reason why we should not try and coordinate the systems across the whole of the European Union."

ENDS.

Note to Editors:

Written declaration on child helplines in Europe

The European Parliament,

• having regard to Rule 116 of its Rules of Procedure,

A. whereas, given that the European Union strengthens citizens' rights, special consideration should be given to the most vulnerable groups, namely children,

B. whereas child helplines are seen as an important tool for children and in 2003 alone around 123,000 calls were documented on abuse and violence against minors in Europe,

C. whereas Child Helpline International (CHI) is an international network representing 72 helplines worldwide, present in 30 European countries,

D. whereas children should have the opportunity to talk to someone about their issues and concerns and to receive assistance in finding solutions,

1. Recommends therefore that:

a. the European Union support child helplines as an essential part of the child

protection system and that this be recognised by the Commission and the governments of Member States;

b. EU child helplines should have a common toll-free number;

c. the European Union support CHI as a platform for EU child helplines to network and

liaise on regional issues and that CHI be provided with assistance for this;

d. children's rights networks and NGOs working on behalf of children should play a role in policy development at national and European level and be eligible for EU funding like other human rights sectors;

2. Instructs its President to forward this declaration, together with the names of the signatories to the Council, the Commission and the parliaments of the Member States.