Linda Wijkström, Corporate and Partner Manager, ECPAT Sweden

#vitecherupp
Why have you taken this initiative?

We have felt the need to help children directly with a helpline for some time, and the coronavirus pandemic has made it more urgent. The risk of children and young people being sexually abused and exploited is increasing as a result of the pandemic, both online and at home.

We saw early on in chat forums that perpetrators saw the situation as an opportunity to approach children.

We work closely with the police who experienced the same thing. ECPAT has a unique knowledge and we want to take our social responsibility and be there for children in the troubled times we are in. As a result, we acted quickly and set up a support line via phone and email. Together with Tele2, which is also a member of our telecom coalition against sexual exploitation, we were able to start up and meet the need in a short time.

What do you offer?

We offer an opportunity to talk to an adult about anything related to sexual abuse, threats and assault. By listening, helping and giving advice, we are there for children and young people who are at risk of or are victims of sexual abuse, threats or assault online or at home. For example, an adult may have done something sexual to you or a friend, you may have been threatened online, or an image may have been shared against your will. No issue is too small or too big.

Who are you targeting in your initiative?

The helpline is aimed at children and young people up to the age of 18. Indirectly, we also address parents, leisure leaders, school staff, football coaches and all others who in various ways meet children and young people, to show that the support line exists to provide help in this situation.

What do you want to achieve?

Children and young people who have been sexually exploited get the support and help they need. If we can ensure that children and young people are taken out of an abusive situation and alleviate the mental health problems that we know online or IRL abuse causes, we will be one step closer to our vision of a world without child sexual exploitation.