ITU calls for harmonized global child helpline number: 116 111

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...