Over 80,000 calls to NCPA Child Line hotline in 18 months

Dharma SRI ABEYRATNE

The "Child Line" hotline of the National Child Protection Authority (NCPA) received over 80,000 telephone calls in 18 months, National Child Protection Authority chairperson Anoma Dissanayake said.

The National Child Protection Authority introduced a 24- hour hotline service under the theme 'Child Line' on July 22, 2010 aimed to eradicate child abuse while protecting children.

Since its inception,the NCPA Child Line hotline has received 80,000 telephone calls from various people throughout the country seeking assistance, information, providing information of child abuse incidents and making complaints etc.

Child Line can be contacted free of charge over any telephone network by dialing 1929.

According to NCPA statistics, a greater number of calls received are related to child harassment and child abuse.

The NCPA chairperson said that the service can be utilised by any person or even a child on any sort of child-related issue,such as, child abuse, harassment, child labour, complaints, getting information and so on. The hotline service also provides a free of charge counselling service. Children who need counselling can contact the NCPA who will then provide the required assistance. NCPA officials together with Police officers attached to the NCPA inquire into all complaints and information provided.

The hotline service has really helped bring down the suicide rate among children as burning problems which cannot be discussed with teachers or parents are addressed by it and discussed by experts.The service also provides psychological guidance.

Child Development and Women Empowerment Minister Tissa Karaliyadde said the hotline service is a long felt need for the sake of children.

He emphasized that all forms of abuses against children would be severely dealt with.