The Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (ISPCC) is today celebrating the 13th birthday of its Childline service. The service, which was launched on this day in 1988, has received 1,104,259 calls to date.
Of the total calls received 46 per cent involved meaningful engagement between the counsellor and the caller. Of these calls, 17 per cent were from children simply wishing to chat and 12 per cent related to boyfriend/girlfriend relationships and pregnancy. 20 per cent of calls related to abuse, either sexual, physical or emotional.
The total number of calls received in 2000 were 112,824 which represents an increase of 13 per cent on 1999.
Speaking to ireland.comthe ISPCC's Chief Executive, Mr Paul Gilligan said: "If you break down the figures for meaningful calls, then Childline services an average of five of these calls an hour. We feel the service has a very positive impact."
Childline had also announced the installation of a new telephone system which will enable more children to access the service.