Childline South Africa has a new toll-free helpline number – 116
The new number is shorter and easier for children and adults to remember.
Childline South Africa has good news to share.
The number 116 is now the new and exclusive Childline South Africa toll-free helpline number for both children and families to call with child-related matters.
The new number is shorter and easier for children and adults to remember. In addition to the new number being used within the South African borders, it also works outside of South Africa, enabling the organisation to join forces with other African countries in ensuring effective delivery of child protection services to all children.
Childline South Africa is a non-profit organisation that works to protect children from violence and further the culture of children’s rights in South Africa. Childline South Africa and its regional network offices run a national, 24-hour, toll-free helpline, available 365 days and has been in existence for 35 years.
As the world becomes more digitally advanced, Childline South Africa has had to keep up with the changes and developments.
The 116 number is a regional number of all the helplines in the African region. This means that if South African children were to find themselves in one of the African countries and in need of help, by dialling 116, they would be able to get through to a helpline, receive the necessary support and be effectively linked with a helpline back home.
The new 116 number therefore will provide better access to child protection services throughout the African continent and allows Childline South Africa to strengthen partnerships with child protection agencies.
Childline South Africa thanks the government of South Africa and Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) for taking heed of the 2009 recommendations by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) to consider a harmonised short code for helplines for and about children.
It also appreciates the Communications Regulatory Association of Southern Africa (CRASA) for its resolutions. Further appreciation is extended to the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies, the National Department of Social Development, Department of Basic Education, Telkom Foundation, Child Helpline International and the Helplines in the African region for supporting Childline South Africa in this process.
Childline South Africa will continue to work with its stakeholders to help prevent child abuse, promote and protect the welfare of all children and child support systems in South Africa. It looks forward to continue serving the most vulnerable in society.
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