No child should feel forgotten this Christmas

No child should feel forgotten this Christmas 

At just 12 years old, Zoe felt completely alone 

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When Zoe contacted Childline, someone listened. Your compassion can help ensure every child has somewhere to turn this Christmas. 

Living with addiction at home and nowhere she felt safe, Zoe began to believe nobody would notice if she disappeared. Then she contacted Childline and a volunteer listened. 

A caring conversation helped Zoe find hope. 

Nobody should feel this alone 

“I am lonely at home. I am lonely at school. I have nobody…”

For many vulnerable children, Christmas can be the hardest time of the year. 

When fear, loneliness and uncertainty feel overwhelming, Childline is there to listen, support and remind children that they matter. 

Because of supporters like you, no child has to face their struggles alone. 

This Christmas, your donation can help ensure every child has somewhere to turn. 

Give now

Your gift helps provide 

❤️ A safe place for children to talk 

❤️ A caring adult who will listen 

❤️ Support during times of crisis 

❤️ Hope when children feel alone 

Zoe found kindness and support when she needed it most. But many more children this Christmas will feel forgotten, facing loneliness and fear with nobody they believe they can turn to. 

With your help, we’ll be there for them too. 

Thank you for opening your heart to children and young people across Ireland. Together, we can ensure no child feels forgotten – this Christmas or any day of the year.  

Note: Names and some specific details have been changed to protect the privacy and identity of those involved.   

No child should feel forgotten this Christmas 

Donate to Childline by ISPCC today.

ISPCC Childline is up to 70% funded through generous gifts from our donors and supporters. Without that support, we couldn’t continue to be there for children.

Last Christmas, your generosity helped make a difference...​

*Figures from 21 December 2025 to 3 January 2026.
phone calls
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Children and young people called Childline for support throughout the Christmas period.

online chats
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Children and young people connected with Childline’s listening volunteers through our online chat service.

unique contacts
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Individual children and young people turned to Childline for a listening ear over Christmas.

crisis contacts
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Childline was there to support children and young people experiencing serious difficulties.

Registered & Trusted

The Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children is a Company Limited by Guarantee. It is registered in Ireland at Unit 3, Block 3, Harbour Square, Crofton Road, Dun Laoghaire, Dublin. The development of the ISPCC.ie website has been supported by the Vodafone Ireland Foundation.

Registration Number: 15958

Charity Number: CHY 5102

Charity Registration Number: 20007225

Behind the closed doors of homes across Ireland, many children suffered in silence this Christmas* – but Childline was there for them

Behind the closed doors of homes across Ireland, many children suffered in silence this Christmas – but Childline was there for them

“It’s such a hard time of year to feel so alone, I haven’t spoken to anyone today, I wish things were different, like it is in the movies, but it’s not. It was brilliant to be able to call Childline, I knew that you would be here for me and it does help a little.”  Emma*, 14. 

Today (December 26th) is set to be one of busiest days of the year for Childline with the team expecting that more than 300 contacts will be made to Ireland’s only 24-hour listening service for children and young people  

Dublin, December 26th, 2025 – Childline reveals that today (St Stephen’s Day, 2025) will be the busiest day of the year for Ireland’s only 24/7 listening service as children come to terms with what they have experienced over the Christmas* period.  The dedicated Childline team is expecting that more than 300 contacts will be made from children and young people across Ireland. 

Heartbreaking data also reveals that over a three-day Christmas period (December 23rd, 24th and 25th) whilst many of us were enjoying gifts, treats, twinkly lights and Santa, Childline received 615 contacts from children who turned to the team because Christmas for them was not a time of joy but one of neglect and misery. Shockingly, seven young people turned to us with suicidal thoughts.

Bullying, abuse, neglect, mental health, substance misuse, strained family relationships and grief are just some of the many reasons children turn to Childline – reasons that sadly are even more pronounced during what is meant to be a magical time of the year.

Additional statistics from Ireland’s only 24/7 listening service for children and young people reveal:   

  •                The Childline team spends the equivalent of 146 full days a year talking to children and young people in immediate crisis
  •                35 children and young people a year are in the process of trying to take their own life whilst in contact with the Childline team
  •                Childline receives over 2,300 contacts a year in relation to sexual, physical and emotional abuse
  •                300 children a year contact Childline about sexual abuse involving rape and being forced to watch and/or perform sexual acts    

Over the last five years, there has been a noticeable increase in the number of children engaging with Childline who are at high risk of harm. Sadly, such stark revelations come as no surprise to the dedicated team of staff and volunteers at ISPCC.   

The Childline team know they are an essential support for so many neglected children, and Childline is open 24/7 to any child for any reason at Christmas, as it is throughout the year. 

“Christmas is supposed to be the one day when families spend time together in peace and harmony,” said volunteer Joe Keane. “However, for children who call Childline at Christmas, the holiday can be one of the loneliest and most difficult times of the year. As a volunteer, being there on Christmas Day means I can make sure they feel listened to and heard.”

John Church, CEO, ISPCC said: “For too many children and young people, Christmas simply doesn’t happen. Too many don’t have the Christmas that they dream of and deserve. Instead, a day that should be full of joy is nothing special and sometimes a lot worse. They turn to Childline for support, and our amazing staff and volunteers are there for them 24/7 over Christmas, as they are throughout the year. Without help from public donations, we would simply not be able to be here for every child who needs us.” 

To help Childline continue to be there for children go to ispcc.ie   

*Christmas statistics refer to December 23, December 24 and December 25 

* Contacts refers to all contacts (chats/phones) that dial 1800 66 66 66/connect to LiveChat  

ISPCC reports shocking statistics on sexual abuse, rape, trafficking and violence as it launches national Christmas appeal

“For too many children and young people, Christmas doesn’t mean presents or a happy day full of warmth and safety. Instead, it means abuse, neglect and loneliness. It breaks my heart to know that it can be nothing but a living nightmare for many of our young people across this country. Take a moment to think of all the young people in your community who could be going through this behind closed doors, alone, afraid, feeling unloved.”

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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 & Javelin Dublin Win Best Radio, Craft, and Copywriting at the Irish Audio Awards

ISPCC & Javelin Dublin won Best Radio, Craft and Copywriting for their Christmas 2024 radio campaign - Once I was that Child, voiced by Saoirse Ronan, at the Irish Audio Awards

Clayton Homer, Javelin; Deirdre McNamara, ISPCC; Aoife Hofler, Javelin; & Des Kavanagh, Javlein

The ISPCC (Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children) and Javelin Dublin earned top honours at the 2025 Irish Audio awards, winning Best Radio, Craft, and Copywriting for their Christmas 2024 campaign, Once I Was That Child. Voiced by the acclaimed Saoirse Ronan, this emotionally charged radio ad captured the heartbreaking reality faced by vulnerable children in Ireland.

Hosted by Anton Savage, the awards took place on March 27th at Dublin’s Smock Alley Theatre and celebrated outstanding achievements in audio production. Out of 150 entries, 30 were shortlisted, and nine awards were presented on the night.. The win for ISPCC and Javelin Dublin stood out, reflecting the powerful combination of exceptional craft, storytelling, and the emotional depth that made this campaign so impactful.

The Once I Was That Child radio campaign was launched last November in support of ISPCC’s Childline, Ireland’s only 24/7 listening service for children. In the ad, Saoirse Ronan calls attention to the grim statistics faced by young people in Ireland. The shocking truth revealed by the campaign includes that 300 children a year contact Childline about sexual abuse, 50 children annually attempt to take their own lives while on the phone to Childline and 50 weekly contacts are related to various forms of abuse. Ronan’s voice brought these harrowing statistics to life, urging the people of Ireland to reflect on the hidden suffering of children in their communities.

ISPCC’s Once I Was That Child is more than just an award-winning radio ad; it is a call to action for the Irish public to support a vital service that helps children in crisis. With the backing of Saoirse Ronan and a message that resonated deeply, the campaign helped to shine a light on the darkness faced by too many young people in Ireland today.

ISPCC reveals that for many children in Ireland, Christmas was a day of trauma and despair with over 820 children reaching out to Childline over the Christmas period*

December 26th will be one of busiest days of the year for Childline with data showing a 12% increase in contacts made to Ireland’s only 24-hour listening service for children and young people

 Dublin, December 26th, 2024 – Childline, today (St Stephen’s Day 2024), reveals that 820 children and young people contacted Ireland’s only 24-hour listening service during Christmas*, representing a 12% increase in connections made this year compared with Christmas 2023.  The heartbreaking data complied over a three-day Christmas period (December 23rd, 24th and 25th) shows that:

For many children, Christmas is not a time of joy but one of fear and misery as they contact Childline to talk about: suicide, abuse, neglect, bereavement and loneliness

There has been a noticeable trend over the last year whereby those children engaging with Childline are at extremely high risk of harm. Sadly, such stark revelations come as no surprise to the dedicated team of staff and volunteers at ISPCC.   

Elizabeth Donlon Fox, National Childline Listening Co-ordinator said: “Our data reveals that today, December 26th, will be one of the busiest days of the year for our team of staff and volunteers at Childline, and we expect that over 250 children and young people will reach out to us today because of something that has happened to them over Christmas.”

John Church, CEO, ISPCC said: “For too many children and young people, Christmas simply doesn’t happen. They turn to Childline for support, and our amazing staff and volunteers are there for them 24/7 over Christmas, as they are throughout the year. We depend on donations for up to 90% of the funding which keeps us listening 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days of the year. Without this help, we would not be able to be here for every child who needs us.”

Additional statistics from Ireland’s only 24/7 listening service for children and young people reveal:  

  •      * 50 children a year are in the process of trying to take their own life while on the phone to the Childline team    
  •      * Over 200 actively suicidal children have contacted Childline during the last year
  •      * The Childline team has had 1,300 suicide-related contacts over the past 12 months

Too many children and young people don’t have the Christmas that they dream of and deserve. Instead, a day that should be full of joy is nothing special and sometimes a lot worse. To help Childline help those children whose Christmas dreams have turned to nightmares, go to ispcc.ie  

*Christmas statistics refer to December 23, December 24 and December 25

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.

Childline by ISPCC reports over 100 contacts made in relation to sexual abuse in past month

  • Ireland’s only 24hour listening service for children and young people launches national Christmas appeal as harrowing statistics reveal up to 10 contacts per week from teenagers pertaining to rape

Dublin, November 27th, 2023 – Childline by ISPCC has today launched a national Christmas appeal with heartbreaking statistics that reveal Ireland’s only 24-hour listening service for children and young people receives:

• 120,000 contacts each year of which almost one quarter are classified “level 4” – the most concerning.

• 26 contacts from children and young people in relation to child sexual abuse on a weekly basis. 

• 169 contacts about incest to date (November 27th, 2023)

• Weekly Childline by ISPCC receives between five to 10 contacts from teenagers about rape. 

 

This Christmas the team of staff and volunteers at ISPCC will be working hard to address these horrifying statistics. The 24/7 Childline listening service means that there is always someone to listen if a child or young person needs to share their story, during the festive season and all through the year.

 

Many of the contacts received by the team at ISPCC are heartbreaking. One of our volunteers Ciara* spoke several times to a little girl named Orla* who rang about how scared she was of the monster who came to her bedroom at night. 

 

This monster should have been one of the most trusted people in her life, but nine-year-old Orla was being sexually abused by a member of her family. 

 

Another volunteer Maria* tells of a young caller Jess* who was also being abused at home. Jess had been calling Childline regularly and through talking to our volunteers had built up her courage and determination to protect and save her siblings from her own horrifying experience. 

 

Orla and Jess’s experiences are not rare. According to the CSO Sexual Violence Survey 2022, 41% of respondents, aged 18-24, experienced sexual violence as a child. Of those surveyed, 83% of victims knew the perpetrator.

 

Mairead McGinn, Director of Fundraising, ISPCC said: “Childline relies heavily on public generosity to help keep us here for every child and young person 24 hours a day. We depend on donations for up to 75% of the funding which keeps us listening 24hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days of the year. Every donation, no matter how small, makes a real difference and helps to ensure that we always provide a listening ear and support to those who need it.”

 In addition to our 24/7 Childline service, ISPCC is also playing an active role to help prevent child sexual abuse through a number of proactive initiatives.

 

“At ISPCC, we know how important technology is as a means of combatting child sexual abuse. We are delighted to be involved in the GroSafe research project with TU Dublin, the aim of which is to develop a technology-enabled solution to build societal resilience to child grooming,” said Fiona Jennings, Head of Policy and Public Affairs, ISPCC.

 

She continued: “We are also working with TU Dublin in an End Violence Against Children funded research project to develop a tool that reveals the patterns of adults perpetrating online child sexual abuse and the children who are affected by such violence.”’

 

To donate this Christmas, go to www.ispcc.ie/christmas-appeal-2023/

*Names have been changed 

 

ENDS

 

So if you really love Christmas, c’mon and let it show… by wearing a Christmas jumper for Childline

‘Tis the season, so don’t even try to resist… oh no, oh no… Instead embrace that Christmas sparkle. Don’t be a grinch saying ‘where’s me jumper?’, instead get it on for Childline this Christmas…

Getting dressed up is all part of Christmas fun. We’ve thought of the perfect way for you to show off your fabulously festive attire by hosting a Christas Jumper Day in aid of Childline your workplace, school, club or creche. You can even do it virtually for colleagues who aren’t in the office.

Everyone is invited to this fundraiser for Childline, Ireland’s only 24/7 listening service for children and young people.

Go to https://www.idonate.ie/event/childlinechristmasjumperday to set up your fundraising page. When you create your page, Childline by ISPCC will be in touch to help you pick a date for you and your colleagues, friends or family and can post out posters, stickers and balloons if needed!

We will also send you email signature, a zoom/teams background if needed as well as digital posters and proposed social media posts.

We’ve made our list, you see, and we’ve certainly checked it twice!

Together we can make a real difference for children and young people throughout Ireland.

ISPCC needs to raise over 75% 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.