106 - A child helpline in Colombia
Many children in Colombia are living in very vulnerable situations, without any form of support or knowledge about services that are available to them. These children face multiple issues including physical and sexual abuse, exploitative work, neglect, and family conflict. According to a recent report published by the Colombian government 11,000 children are abused at home or school every year in colombia and 9 children die a violent death in Colombia every day. Children living in the most disadvantaged communities are particularly vulnerable and unable to find sources of support. These children and young people need to have access to services that can help them, and also to know that someone is there to listen and support them. A child helpline can be the first point of contact in such situations.
Corpolatin was started in Cali in 2003, in order to provide a free helpline service for children and young people at risk. The aim of the service is to listen to children, ensure that they know what their rights are, give them immediate help to get out of danger if needed, and help them access services that can ensure their healthy development in the future. Corpolatin also has an email response service and online chat room where children can talk about their problems. The people who answer the phones and respond to messages are trained professionals. The services provided by Corpolatin range from active listening to a child or person who calls in need of advice; to intervening with direct assistance in removing a child from a dangerous situation.
Corpolatin deals with a wide range of issues in the calls that they receive from children. In 2010 Corpolatin received 5,078 calls from children in Cali, 12% of which related to domestic violence and abuse, 16% to family issues such as divorce, 16% to depression, feelings of loneliness, anxiety, stress and other psychological problems. Adults can also use the helpline for advice on family problems or to report child abuse, and Corpolatin offers counseling on parenting and family management.
COTA's Support
COTA is supporting Corpolatin in the development of two crucial elements: workshops for children and adult duty bearers, and the development of a network of 
organisations that are defending children's rights. The workshops inform children, parents and teachers about the helpline service. For children, they raise awareness about the rights that children have, and the services and resources they can use if they need help or are in danger. They also encourage children to be assertive and confident in demanding their rights. For adults, the workshops inform about services and sources of support for several situations, including if they suspect abuse. They also cover topics such as good parenting, authority and child development. In this way the workshops tackle the root problems of family violence and abuse by changing negative patterns, strengthening relationships and improving emotional ties.
The second vital part of the project is the network of other organisations and services that will be strengthened and coordinated to help children who contact Corpolatin. The helpline already tracks every child who contacts them, and follows up to ensure that the child goes on to receive the support they need and have their rights restored. In order to augment and strengthen this part of the programme, Corpolatin is planning to organise conferences, training days, talks and community events to keep raising awareness of their services and expanding their referrals. Organisations working in the areas of health, welfare, justice, recreation, protection and education will be linked, allowing quick and appropriate referrals for every child and enabling Corpolatin to ensure that each child's case is followed up by the relevant agencies.
