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ChildLine is a UK-based children's helpline. Its primary role is to provide a 24-hour telephone helpline to comfort and advise children suffering because of bullying, child abuse, problems at school or other concerns. It also works with schools on anti-bullying initiatives and peer support networks, as well as lobbying government.
In 1986 Esther Rantzen, presenter of That's Life!, a popular ‘watchdog’ type TV show, put on a programme about sexual abuse. The BBC set up a helpline that any viewer affected by the programme could call. It was almost swamped by callers, most of them adult women and many said they had been abused as children and never told anyone before. They said their lives had been very damaged by the abuse and they still felt affected by events that happened years ago.
Rantzen went on to screen Childwatch and the helpline was overwhelmed by young callers wanting to talk about their experiences of sexual abuse. It was evident sexual abuse was much more prevalent than previously suspected and, contrary to popular belief, it was more often committed by an adult known to the child. Young people who spoke out about being abused risked disbelief; many felt too confused, frightened or ashamed to complain and did not know who they might turn to for help. Rantzen decided a free helpline should be available to children and young people so they would have someone to turn to for help, comfort and protection if ever they felt unhappy or unsafe.
Following a long-running financial crisis, ChildLine became a part of the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) on 1 February 2006. Esther Rantzen became a member of the NSPCC's board of trustees, and was given the honorary title, "President of ChildLine." Shortly before joining the NSPCC, Amicus became the recognised trade union for ChildLine staff and volunteers.
ChildLine has 11 counselling centres around the UK, staffed largely by volunteers. In 2004 it was controversially announced that the organisation's Nottingham base, which had been the second to open after the London headquarters, was to be closed as a cost-cutting measure. Before joining the NSPCC, plans were in place to close another base in Newton Abbot, and to scale down the size of ChildLine's operation in Leeds. Approximately 4,500 children phone ChildLine every day, though only 2,500 of these callers can be answered.
Unlike other freephone helplines, Childline offers full confidentiality to children. While other helpines for children have an automatic responsibility to contact the police or social services, Childline is unique in not having to do so. The only time Childline would breach confidentiality would be when a child is in immediate danger, or if they asked Childline to do so. This is seen as one of the greatest strengths of the service, as it allows children to discuss their problems and the possible consequences with the knowledge that no one else will know. Children who discuss sexual abuse often build confidence with counsellors, and over time seek further assistance having had a bridge between being abused and having social services/police immediately involved.
Despite most mobile phone operators charging for freephone 0800 calls, calls to ChildLine's number are not charged by any UK mobile network. Childline posters point out that "the call will not appear on your bill", for the benefit of children wishing to phone in secret.
Similar children's helplines using the name ChildLine have been formed in a number of countries. As of 2005 these included India, Ireland, Namibia, South Africa, Trinidad and Tobago, Gibraltar and Zimbabwe. Some of these are independent charities; others have been set up by existing children's charities or more general helplines.