GENEVA – The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) on Monday called on all countries to implement the number 116 111 for child help lines around the world.
The number, already in use in many countries, was recommended following a proposal from Child Helpline International (CHI), an organization that represents child help lines globally.
CHI data shows that children and youngsters made more than 10.5 million calls to child help lines in both 2005 and 2006.
“Child help lines have become a lifeline for vulnerable children in many countries,” said Malcolm Johnson, director of ITU’s Telecommunication Standardization Bureau. “ITU endorses the proposal to give added momentum to one harmonized number – 116 111 – being adopted worldwide, in addition to well-established existing numbers.”
Experts agree that if children have the opportunity to call a harmonized telephone number from wherever they are, more of them will get the support they need, the ITU noted in a media release.
The importance of child help lines was endorsed at the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) in November 2005.
The ITU is now asking all administrations to consider the allocation of the number 116 111 for help lines run by organizations dedicated to the welfare of children. It would also like any countries that do not currently have child help lines to propose the use of 116 111 for telephone access to any child help lines that may be established in the future.
The number 116 111 is already being used in several European countries, including the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Greece, Hungary, Portugal and Sweden.
