Someone who cares is just a phone call away! CHILDLINE is a kind didi or empathetic bhaiya who is always available for underprivileged children around the clock, 365 days a year.
CHILDLINE is India’s first 24-hour, free, emergency phone service for children in need of aid and assistance, and it is a phone number that represents hope for millions of children around the country. You can reach their services by calling the toll-free number 1098, whether you are a worried adult or a young person. In addition to attending to children’s urgent needs, they also connect them with long-term care and rehabilitation resources. Through such calls, they have so far spoken with more than three million kids around the country.
The Ministry for Women & Child Development, Government of India, collaborates on CHILDLINE with state governments, non-governmental organisations, international organisations, the corporate sector, concerned individuals, and children.
The Inspiration Behind CHILD-LINE:
A nation that values children and ensures their rights and protection.
Who is CHILDLINE’s main focus?
CHILDLINE advocates for the general defence of the rights of all children. However, it places a particular emphasis on all children who require care and protection, particularly those in the more vulnerable parts, which include:
- Children and young adults living on the streets by themselves.
- Using child labour in both the organised and unorganised sectors.
- Female domestic workers.
- Children who have experienced physical, sexual, or emotional abuse in their homes, schools, or institutions.
- Children that require counselling and emotional support.
- Children of commercial sex workers.
- Child flesh-trade victims.
- Child trafficking victims.
- Abandonment of children by parents or other adults.
- Children who are missing.
- Run-away children.
- Children who are drug abuse victims.
- Children with special needs.
- Children who have run afoul of the law.
- Children in institutions.
- Physically abled children.
- AIDS/HIV infection in children.
- Children impacted by disasters and armed conflict.
- Political refugees, children.
- Children from distressed families.
How does CHILDLINE reach the child in need and what happens to them after that?
When a child calls 1098, a CHILDLINE representative answers and offers the proper support based on the nature of the call.
These services can range from telephone counselling for emotional support and direction, information and service referrals for the caller, and information about CHILDLINE.
60 minutes rescue –The CHILDLINE team rushes to assist children within 60 minutes of receiving adequate information on a child or children in need in order to get them out of an emergency situation.
Intervention– Once CHILDLINE steps in to aid the child, it collaborates with a variety of parties, including law enforcement, child protection agencies, social workers, and counsellors. From the response to intervention, children’s participation and permission are crucial parts of this process.
Rehabilitation and Follow-Up: To ensure the child’s ongoing safety following the interventions, CHILDLINE moves forward to locate long-term rehabilitation for the youngster. The CHILDLINE staff visits the family or the shelter if the kid has been allocated to be there as part of ongoing follow-ups with the child.
How can you help?
There are many different ways you can help CHILDLINE:
1. When you see a child in need, dial 1098.
2. Inform every destitute child you come across about CHILDLINE and 1098.
3. Donate to the Childline India Foundation so that they can reach more children in more cities.
4. Volunteer and impact the world.
Conclusion:
No one will ever ignore your need for help at CHILDLINE. Over 450 locations in India are served by the nation’s first toll-free helpline for street children, which has evolved into a nationwide child protection programme. We need to spread awareness and protect our children. Share this article with your friends, family and on social media handles and support CHILDLINE’s work. Children are the future and we can empower them by educating them!
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