The public child helpline service 116111 was launched on June 4.  Six psychological consultants will answer the telephone calls and will record the discussions in the database of the Child’s Telephone Project. The technical service will be available round-the-clock, while the advisory service – between 8:30am until 9pm, IPN reports.

In a news conference, Minister of Labor, Social Protection and Family Valentina Buliga said it is the first partnership between the Ministry and an NGO. This service is intended for children facing communication and integration-related problems. “We are convinced that this helpline will contribute directly to solving these problems,” she stated.

The service can be also used by parents and those who experience cases of abuse, violence or communication and integration difficulties, said Daniela Misail-Nichitin, head of the International Center “La Strada”, which is the project’s partner. Campaigns to make this number know in summer camps will be carried out in summer. “Our volunteers will go to camps and will promote this telephone number by different activities. Later we will launch a nationwide campaign,” she stated.

The number 116 111 is specifically for children who seek assistance and need someone to talk to. The service helps children in need of care and protection and links them to the appropriate services and resources; it provides children with an opportunity to express their concerns and talk about issues directly affecting them

The number can be found on the list of free numbers of the national telecoms carrier Moldtelecom and on the websites of child protection organizations. “The number 116111 is accessible from any mobile phone network, while the calls are not charged,” Moldtelecom commercial director Ion Rosca has told IPN. The license for using the national short number was issued by Moldtelecom for the period between June 1, 2014 and December 31, 2016.