Childline swamped by 1,000 Christmas Day calls

THE country’s main helpline for children was swamped with callers over the holiday period with over 1,000 children contacting the service on Christmas Day.

Childline, which is operated by the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, reported that it received a total of 1,005 calls, texts and e-mails on December 25 — which represents an 11% increase on last year’s figures.

Childline manager Margie Roe said that, although Christmas was a fun time of year for many families, for others it could bring unwelcome stress and trauma with children exposed to abuse, violence and isolation.