Arising from an identified need for children and young people in Cambodia to have access to a confidential counseling and referral telephone service, more than eight United Nations, international and local non-government organizations (NGOs) representatives established Child Helpline Cambodia (CHC). Helplines operating globally have established an effective child protection foundation and continue to play a vital role in promoting children#s rights to survival, protection, development and participation. CHC is the first of its kind in Cambodia. In September 2011, CHC achieved full membership with Child Helpline International and joined a global network of over 150 child and youth helplines. CHC is an independent national NGO officially registered with the Ministry of Interior on 12 July 2012. In August 2016, CHC receives national accreditation by the Cooperation Committee of Cambodia, #Compliance with the Standard of GoodGovernance and Professional Practice#. In December 2016, CHC was accredited with Child Safe Organization certificate certified by the Ministry of Social Affairs, Veterans and Youth Rehabilitation. In January 2017, CHC received a global Stars Impact Award by the United Kingdom Stars Foundation, in recognition of the positive impact it has provided Cambodian children, young people and their families. CHC focuses on a wide range of children#s rights as outlined in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Children, but specifically for children#s rights to be heard and for each youngperson to be able to freely express their views (Article12), children#s rights to freedom of expression (Article 13), children#s rights to appropriate information (Article 17), and the whole range of protection rights which is best encapsulated in Article 19. CHC works to this mandate and aims to support any child or youth who calls in, is threatened by or experiencing the most serious forms of abuse, and needs either someone to talk to or a referral to appropriate services. CHC provides a free, national, professional phone-counseling and information service and effective referral and follow-up with the aim of promoting active participation by children and youth, communities, NGOs and government departments/personnel to protect and empower children andyouth. The installation of multiple channels for accessing counseling services # phone lines, text messages, emails, and social media # enables children and youth to select the communication channel that best suits their needs and/or resources, benefittingfrom a helpline service, which they can directly access, rather than waiting for adults to take action on their behalf. Today most children and youth contact CHC by mobile telephones. In 2016, the total number of calls was 168,235; an average of 460 callsevery day. Acting in the best interests of the child and youth at all times, CHC has responded to children and youth who want to commit suicide, who are being trafficked, exploited, experiencing physical, sexual and emotional abuse and violence or request information.

Child Helpline Cambodia

Ministry of Foreign Affairs NL

Oxfam Novib

Oxfam Novib