As the global network of child helplines mark the International Child Helpline day today, the Ministry wishes to highlight the important role of the child helpline in bringing out the voices of vulnerable children in Maldives.
The child helpline was established in Maldives in 2009 as a 24-hour toll free number, “1412”. Through the child helpline, the Ministry refers, assists and provides other services to children throughout the country who are in need of assistance and support. The Ministry is currently working on improving the quality of services of the child helpline by establishing a call centre and conducting capacity building trainings for social service workers who attend to reports made to the helpline.
The Ministry has received and attended to a total of 171 cases reported to the child helpline in the first quarter of this year. Out of these reports in April alone, 66 calls were made by children themselves. The most frequently reported cases to the Ministry are regarding sexual abuse of children. Other forms of violence against children include cases of neglect, physical abuse, emotional abuse, child abandonment and bullying.