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.

She explained that children contacted the service on Christmas Day and over the festive period for a variety of reasons. Most callers tend to be in the 9-13 age group, although calls are received from children as young as six years old.

“The majority of calls this year were from children who were experiencing difficulties such as loneliness, isolation, depression and family difficulties. We also had children who had used the service this year, contacting us to let us know that they were doing ok and to say thanks,” said Ms Roe.

“Christmas Day is slightly quieter for Childline than the average day in terms of the number of calls. But it is a sign that children still need support at a time that is ideally one of the happiest days of the year for them.”

Overall, Childline is predicting that there will be an increase in excess of 50% in the number of users of its service during 2010, largely as a result of the effects of the general downturn in the economy.

Ms Roe estimated that the average number of weekly calls received by Childline has risen to 16,000 this year compared with just 10,000 in 2009.

“We always encourage children to talk to their parents. But we have noticed over the past year that many callers report that either their father or mother is very stressed because they have lost their job and they don’t want to add to their parents’ worry,” said Ms Roe.

“A significant theme throughout 2010 has been the associated stress of financial difficulties and the impact that this stress can have on family relationships.”

Childline also reminded parents the importance of recognising that their own behaviour and drinking habits during the Christmas holidays can directly influence their own children.

A report by the ISPCC earlier this year highlighted how one in ten children felt their life was significantly affected by their parents’ alcohol use.

“Alcohol can have such a profound impact on children in the home and can mean the difference between feeling safe and loved in the home and feeling scared, isolated and embarrassed,” said the ISPCC’s director of services, Caroline O’Sullivan.