ISPCC announces global project to prevent online child sexual exploitation and abuse

cyberbullying

The project, spearheaded by Greek non-profit child welfare organisation The Smile of the Child, will be co-created by children and young people to ensure their voices are heard

ISPCC is honoured to announce its participation in a worldwide project designed to transform how we prevent and respond to online child sexual exploitation and abuse.
Safe Online, a global fund dedicated to eradicating online child sexual exploitation and abuse, is funding the project called “Sandboxing and Standardizing Child Online Redress”.

The COR Sandbox project will establish a first-of-its-kind mechanism to advance child online safety through collaboration across sectors, borders and generations.

The project is led by The Smile of the Child, Greece’s premier child welfare organisation and

ISPCC is a partner alongside The Young and Resilient Research Centre at Western Sydney University, Child Helpline International and the Centre for Digital Policy at University College Dublin.

Sandboxes bring together industry, regulators and customers in a safe space to test innovative products and services without incurring regulatory sanctions and they are mainly used in the finance sector to test new services. The EU is increasingly encouraging the use of sandboxes in the field of high technology and artificial intelligence.

Through the participation of youth, platforms, regulators and online safety experts, this first regulatory sandbox for child digital wellbeing will provide for consistent, systemic care and redress for children from online harm, based on their rights under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC).

Getting reporting and redress right means that we can keep track of harms and be able to identify systemic risk. Co-designing the reporting and redress process with young people as equitable participants can help us understand what they expect from the reporting process and what remedies are fair for them putting Article 12 of the UNCRC into action.

The project also benefits from the guidance of renowned digital safety experts, including Project Lead and Scientific Coordinator Ioanna Noula, PhD, an international expert on tech policy and children’s rights; pioneering online safety and youth rights advocate Anne Collier; youth rights and participation expert Amanda Third, PhD, of the Young and Resilient Research Centre; international innovation management consultant Nicky Hickman; IT innovation and startup founder Jez Goldstone; and leading child online wellbeing scholar Tijana Milosevic, PhD.

ISPCC Head of Policy and Public Affairs Fiona Jennings said: “This project is a wonderful example of what we can achieve when we collaborate and listen to children and young people. Having robust online reporting mechanisms in place is a key policy objective for ISPCC and this project will go a long way towards making the online world safer for children and young people to participate in.”

Project lead Ioanna Noula said: “ISPCC’s contribution to a project, which seeks to build coherence around the issue of online redress, will be a catalyst for real and substantial change in the area of online reporting. Helplines play a key role in flagging illegal and/or harmful content. As the experts in listening and responding to children, ISPCC can provide insight from an Irish context to help spearheading the implementation of the Digital Services Act and the wellbeing of children online.”

ISPCC honoured at the Media Awards 2025

ISPCC and leading independent full service advertising agency Javelin received the top accolade for the Best Collaboration Agency & Media Owner (Niche) at this year’s Media Awards for its national radio campaign ‘Once I was that Child’

The radio campaign, which was voiced by Saoirse Ronan, aimed to reveal the dark truths behind childhood in Ireland. ‘Once I was that Child’ was brought to full, terrible, haunting life by the power of Saoirse’s performance. The Blitz and Outrun actress urged the listener to think of and donate to the ISPCC, which needs public support to continue its essential work helping so many traumatised children and young people.       

The Media Awards, which took place in the Mansion House, on May 8, celebrate the teams behind the ideas, strategic and creative thinking and implementation which generate impact and business success. The categories reflect the fast-moving media landscape and recognise the talent who are driving the change.

ISPCC and Javelin also received a Silver award for ‘Once I was that Child’ in the Media Campaign Niche, a category limited to campaigns with a media budget of under €50,000.

Deirdre McNamara, Director, Marketing and Communications, ISPCC, says: “We’re absolutely delighted to receive this recognition. The awards are a testament to the passion, creativity and true collaborative spirit of our combined teams. Working with the Javelin team, we created a very important campaign. ‘Once I was that child’ is a reminder to us all that once innocence is stolen childhood is lost forever.”

ISPCC says a huge thank you to our fabulous volunteers

This National Volunteering Week (May 19-25, 2025), ISPCC wants   to say a huge thank you to all our wonderful volunteers who are always available to listen to children and young people 

We couldn’t provide the services and support we do without our selfless volunteers who go out of their way time and again to offer support to those who need it, whenever they need it, no matter the reason.

“Our dedicated volunteers and teams around the country listen and support children and young people, no matter what is on their mind or what they may be going through,” says Caroline O’Sullivan, ISPCC Director of Services. “Childline is there, unconditionally, for them. Our online chat service is ideal for children who may feel more comfortable seeking support by typing and messaging about what is going on for them.”

These conversations address serious challenges, with self-harm a big issue, as well as anxiety, stress over exams and family disagreements also being regularly discussed. For teens, body image and stress over social media is causing a lot of anxiety.

Ian Kinsella, a recent volunteer in ISPCC’s Dublin unit, says that children and young people need to be heard and need to be given their space without direction and judgment because they get that in so many other places. He says that “it is incredibly rewarding to see that you have made a difference in a child’s life, it’s priceless”.

As well as the 24/7 listening service, ISPCC also offers free Digital Mental Health and Wellbeing Programmes, two of which are available to parents/carers of either anxious children or teens while the third is aimed at teenagers experiencing low to moderate levels of anxiety. Users complete the programme under the guidance of a volunteer.

ISPCC volunteer Dee Higgins believes that the programmes are empowering for users of all ages. “It gives parents and young people a chance to deal with their anxieties before it becomes a huge issue,” she said, adding that “if parents can understand what their child is going through, that’s a huge step.”

The Childline 24/7 listening service is anonymous, a fact that Ian thinks really helps children and young people to express what’s on their mind to a supportive listener.

“So many people feel that they can’t talk to others about what’s going on in their lives,” says Val Beegan, a volunteer with Childline’s Limerick unit. Val knows all about what’s on the minds of children and young people as she’s been volunteering with Childline for over 25 years.

Val has been involved in every type of conversation from children devastated to be thrown out of their friends’ what’s app group to young people wanting to stop self-harming but unable to do so.

She is one of two volunteers in ISPCC’s Limerick office working on both Childline’s 24/7 listening service and its online digital mental health programmes. Val believes that levels of anxiety among children and young people have really exacerbated over the years. “It is so good to hear young people talking about it on the phone and opening up how it affects them.”

Val also sees the other side of the story, how parents can feel so helpless trying to help their children who are suffering from anxiety and is grateful to be involved in the Digital Mental Health and Wellbeing Programmes because she feels that they can make such a difference to children, young people and their parents.

They all need to be heard, says Val, and talking can make a real difference.

The Lovely Show X Childline Special Episode

The Lovely Show Teams Up with Childline by ISPCC for Special Episode Answering Real Questions from Real Kids

The Lovely Show, hosted by Justine Stafford and Kevin McGahern

Comedy duo Justine Stafford and Kevin McGahern are using their platform for good in a powerful new episode of The Lovely Show. This special edition of the hit podcast is created in partnership with Childline by ISPCC, and it features the hosts answering real questions submitted by real children across Ireland.

In the episode, Justine and Kevin step into the shoes of Childline’s dedicated volunteers to respond with empathy, humour and honesty to questions submitted through Childline’s Ask the Team feature, where young people can anonymously share their thoughts or worries online.

The episode will touch on everything from friendships and feelings, to worries and growing up, all handled with the warm humour and relatability that The Lovely Show is known for.

The episode was released on Monday, April 14 and will be available wherever you get your podcasts and on HeadStuffPodcasts.com. Or you can click on the link below to listen on spotify. 

“Childline provides amazing help to kids and teenagers who need it. We’re delighted to help them in our own small way” – Kevin McGahern

“Childline is a wonderful service available to young people in Ireland today offering help to young people going through difficult situations as well as also offering a kind ear to talk to at any time. Being a part of this episode educated me in just how wide the range of conversations are at Childline and we hope we were able to offer help in a small way through discussing our own life experiences and struggles we faced growing up” – Justine Stafford.

“At Childline, we know that children and young people need different types of support at different times of their lives, but they always need someone to listen. We’re excited to partner with The Lovely Show, a unique collaboration for Childline. Justine and Kevin offer a refreshing perspective on the challenges faced by children and young people, one that will definitely be appreciated by listeners.”– Matthew Boyd, Childline by ISPCC

Get up, get out and get talking to help Childline by ISPCC help children and young people in Ireland

Lap and Chat for Childline

Childline by ISPCC urges the nation to get chatting with our Lap and Chat fundraising campaign

February 12, 2025

Get talking while walking and help children and young people by supporting the ‘Lap and Chat’ fundraising campaign from Childline by ISPCC.

The aim of this wellbeing initiative is to help children and teenagers open up about their worries, listen to others and reflect on their feelings with the added benefit of getting out and about and being active.

The campaign was developed in direct response to the worries of callers to Childline, Ireland’s only 24/7 listening service.  

We know from talking to children and young people that their worries range from sibling rivalry and differences in music tastes to exam anxiety, confusion about sexuality and self-harming.

This spring, Childline by ISPCC is calling on schools, clubs and creches to take part in our latest campaign by walking a lap while having a chat with a friend in the yard, school or local area. 

We listen to children and young people sharing their worries every day so we know how vital it is for them to discuss what’s on their mind with people they trust. 

Childline provides a supportive listening ear for all those worries and anything else on the minds of our callers.  “If a worry is big to any of our callers, it’s big to us at Childline,” says John Church, ISPCC CEO. 

ISPCC needs to raise up to 75% of its funding each year from donations and the charity is grateful for all support which helps ensure its services and supports are available to children and young people all day, every day.  

To find out more about the campaign, including information on how to sign up a school, club or creche, visit https://www.ispcc.ie/event/lap-and-chat-for-childline-2025/

 ISPCC will provide a virtual wellbeing talk and reflection workbooks to help those embarking on Lap and Chat to further explore their feelings and any concerns they may have.

The Lap and Chat event can be held any time in March. 

 

Wanted: Volunteers to help Childline listen to children in need

2 women at call center

New year, new challenges facing Childline as children and young people increasingly reach out for support. Childline needs volunteers to be ready to listen to any child when they need to talk.

Volunteers are the heart and soul behind Childline’s 24/7 listening service for children and young people. These men and women go out of their way time and again to offer support to those who need it, whenever they need it, no matter the reason.

The Childline listening service is now recruiting volunteers for its office in Dun Laoghaire. Its 24/7 listening service is free and confidential and can be reached online or by phone.  

Childline volunteers come from all walks of life and are united by one common purpose: to help ensure no child or young person in Ireland has to face their challenges alone, no matter how big or small.  

Many children and young people need to talk to a supportive listener. A total of 820 children and young people contacted Ireland’s only 24-hour listening service during Christmas*, representing a 12% increase in connections made in 2024 compared with Christmas 2023.  

Childline needs more volunteers to be ready to listen to these children and young people.

Volunteers receive full training in advance of answering their first contact and ongoing support and upskilling thereafter. The first training session of 2025 starts in February. 

 An excellent team spirit and sense of support prevails at Childline units throughout the country where volunteers gather for their four-hour weekly shift. 

Childline volunteer Dee says that she never expected to get so much back from volunteering in her own life. “I have learned so many new skills and made friends from all walks of life. We are all united with a common purpose: to make sure every child has somewhere they can turn.”

Another volunteer Liz says that although she was initially nervous at the thought of becoming a volunteer with Childline, she is delighted that she did it. “People always think that you’re dealing with the most neglected children of society but this is not necessarily the truth, so many children just need to talk. It tugs at my heartstrings that so many children need Childline.”

If you would like more information on becoming a Childline volunteer at our unit in Dun Laoghaire and helping the service to listen to children and young people, please go to https://www.ispcc.ie/volunteer-with-childline/

Why ISPCC is giving a huge thank you to Ohk Energy and Caelan Doris

Childline by ISPCC says a huge thank you to Ohk Energy and their ambassador, rugby star Caelan Doris, who teamed up to support the vital work carried out by the charity with their phenomenal Power a Brighter Future initiative.

In just one month the combined efforts of Ohk Energy and Childline Champion Caelan Doris raised over €16,000 which will go directly to help the children and young people who need ISPCC’s vital services.

As part of the campaign, from August 6, 2024, to September 6, 20,24 €50 from every Ohk Energy sale of solar PV systems and air-to-water heat pumps was donated to Childline. Ohk Energy is a new group brand comprised of leading renewable energy providers NRG Panel and JFW Renewables.

John Church, CEO of ISPCC, said: “We are so grateful for the generous support from the team at Ohk Energy and our Childline Champion Caelan Doris. They are really helping us to offer a lifeline to all the children and young people who need us. The reality is that we could not continue to carry out the work we do if it wasn’t for these wonderful and essential collaborations with our partners. We truly appreciate the commitment from Ohk Energy and Caelan Doris to helping us make a real difference in the lives of those who need us.”

 

ISPCC needs to raise over 70% of its funding through donations each year to ensure we can be there to support children and young people 24 hours a day, 365 days of the year. We rely on the generosity of the public and are grateful for all support. We encourage children to reach out for any reason.

Diving into Childline’s September Sea Swim Challenge

September Sea Swim 2024

“No lines, no lanes, no limits.” This is how Steven Munatones, open water swimmer, describes the joy of submerging yourself in the deep. 

Talk to any regular sea swimmer and they will extol its many benefits from boosting wellbeing and immunity to improved sleep and enjoying a wonderful sense of camaraderie among your fellow dippers. 

It sounds like a tempting antidote to the stresses and strains of everyday living, doesn’t it? And it’s available to so many of us living on this island. Sometimes we just need a little push though, and ISPCC is happy to provide it this September.  

So whether you have been thinking about taking the plunge for the first time or you are a regular swimmer who is looking to push themselves, ISPCC has just the challenge for you with the September Sea Swim for Childline. 

This is our second year of the challenge, which prompted so many people to dip more than a toe into the waters of Ireland in 2023. It’s very straightforward: Simply sign up to do 10 swims whenever you want throughout September. You can do it as a solo challenge or with a group of friends.  

This is a fantastic opportunity to nurture your mental and physical health while supporting the wellbeing of children and young people. All funds raised will do directly to Childline, Ireland’s only 24/7 listening service, to ensure that there is always someone to listen when a child or young person needs to talk.  

Once you have signed up on septemberseaswim.com, Childline will send you a September Sea Swim digital pack including your own swim chart, a swim checklist that includes swimming locations nationwide and a September Sea Swim sponsorship card. Choose 10 days throughout the month and which location works best for you.  

Friends and family can donate to your fundraising page by sharing on Whatsapp, Instagram, Facebook, email, Twitter and Linkedin.  

Once you have completed the 10 swims, you will receive a September Sea Swim Certificate of Completion and if you raise €100 or more, we will send you a Childline by ISPCC Tote Bag – the perfect hold-all for your beach life accessories. 

So go on, get out of your lane and feel the benefits of swimming for Childline.

Ends

 

 

ISPCC honoured with award for ‘hard-hitting campaign that exposed truth about childhood in Ireland’

ISPCC wins top accolade at Awards for Excellence in PR

ISPCC has received the top accolade for the Best Short-Term Media Campaign at the Awards for Excellence in Public Relations for its campaign ‘For some children, Christmas doesn’t happen’.

The awards, which have been co-hosted by the Public Relations Consultants Association Ireland (PRCA) and the Public Relations Institute of Ireland (PRII) for the past 30 years, recognise the best in Irish public relations, public affairs and internal communications across the public and private sectors. 

There had been an initial 37 submissions in ISPCC’s category, which was then short-listed to a group of five finalists. 

The judges said that it was a close contest, “but the winning entry was a hard-hitting campaign that showed no fear of exposing harsh truths about childhood in Ireland.”
They added that “this was a strategic and well-planned campaign, with excellent use of research and timing. Challenging objectives were clearly achieved with tangible results. Kudos to an in-house team that surely worked long hours over the holidays period.”

Deirdre McNamara, ISPCC Head of Marketing and Communications, said that “ISPCC was delighted to see our campaign recognised by our peers. This achievement is testament to the amazing work of everyone at ISPCC.

“For too many children and young people, Christmas is sadly just another day. For some, the issues they encounter all year can worsen. It can mean abuse, neglect and loneliness. For others, Christmas can present new worries and concerns. Whatever the reason, they turn to Childline for support and for someone to listen.”

“At Childline we rely heavily on public generosity to help us to be here for every child who needs us.  We depend on this generosity to keep us listening 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days of the year.” 

• To support Childline and help keep volunteers listening to children and young people, please support the Childline Summer appeal and donate at www.ispcc.ie.