We live in a society where lawlessness, crime, and domestic violence are everyday occurrences. A society where some children and adults are forced to wake up and go to sleep in fear, pain, and anguish. A society that teeters between the extreme consumerism promoted by social media and the aggression, violence, and destitution that often remain hidden.
Scientific research has shown that, especially for children, psychological and physical abuse can have serious consequences for their development, causing everything from anxiety and depression to attention deficits and poor academic performance, sleep and eating disorders, low self-esteem, and difficulty forming healthy relationships. A sense of insecurity at home or at school often leads some children to adopt aggressive behaviors themselves or to become emotionally withdrawn.
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But where can a child turn when they experience violence and abuse on a daily basis, but doesn’t dare to speak out about what they’re going through because they’re afraid, or because they don’t want to report those who are supposed to care for and protect them? And even if they do dare to speak up, who can offer them the proper support and protection?
The 1466 Helpline, which operates with absolute confidentiality, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, is staffed by a team of experienced psychologists, social workers, and legal professionals. This team of specialists has access to the relevant government authorities and services and can provide immediate support and intervention if deemed necessary to protect the child. Psychological support can continue through sessions with psychologists, both for the child and for the entire family.
Behind the 1466 Helpline, which has been operating for six years with the financial support of the XM Group, stands the international, independent humanitarian organization Hope For Children CRC Policy Center. The organization, founded in 2008, operates based on the principles and values of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, which serves as the foundation and inspiration for all of its programs and initiatives.
The XM Group maintains a broad partnership with the Hope For Children Organization, ranging from financial support for the technical infrastructure of the 1466 Helpline to funding a campaign against school bullying and the creation of the specially designedXM Child and Family Counseling Center, which is expected to open soon. The new building that will house the Counseling Center will provide an ideal environment for continuing the psychological, social, and legal support already offered free of charge to children and adults, to address cases of abuse, neglect, school and online bullying (including grooming), as well as to guide parents or guardians on child protection issues.
According to data from Hope For Children, 1,098 calls have been made to 1466 since the beginning of the year, averaging 34 calls per week. The majority of callers are children and young people aged 13 to 17, who, among other things, contact the hotline seeking help, as they are victims of violence and bullying either at home or at school. The remaining calls are made by parents concerned about their children or by members of the public who have observed incidents involving children. Most calls—60%—are made by girls and women.
The main reasons for calling 1466 are the emotional difficulties children are facing, parents’ need for advice and guidance on dealing with their children’s anxiety and behavioral problems, coping with grief and loss, addressing thoughts of death and suicide, school bullying, and legal issues. This year, in 62 cases, those involved were offered free sessions with psychologists from the Hope For Children Organization. In 54 cases, the organization reported specific incidents to Social Welfare Services and the police.
The greatest success of the 1466 Helpline is that it offers children and families facing serious difficulties in their daily lives an accessible and confidential point of immediate contact with specialized staff who can provide appropriate advice and necessary guidance, as well as refer them to specialized government services. In many high-risk cases, the timely intervention of specialists from Hope For Children has saved lives, preventing potential suicides and strengthening the safety net for vulnerable children.
The ever-increasing number of calls to 1466 demonstrates both society’s great need for meaningful intervention and the public’s trust in the Helpline mechanism. For more information, please visit https://uncrcpc.org.cy/programmes/e8nikh-grammh-boh8eias-1466
More information about Hope For Children’s services and programs can be found here: www.uncrcpc.org.cy
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