2,440 out of 4,000 calls received by the National Child Helpline this year were prank calls

Out of the 4,000 calls received by the National Child Helpline this year, 2,440 were prank calls while 831 were genuine calls.

This was revealed by Medical Services Pacific Executive Director, Jennifer Poole at the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding for the Child Helpline with the Ministry of Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation.

She has also highlighted the main issues reported through the Helpline includes child neglect, physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, gender based violence and issues concerning family welfare.

Ministry for Children Permanent Secretary, Dr Josefa Koroivueta says they have provided counseling for many of the genuine callers and these cases have been dealt with by relevant service providers.

The Ministry of Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation has also revealed since the launching of the Child Helpline in 2016 there have been a total of 40,000 calls to date.

The Ministry of Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation singed the Memorandum of Understanding with Medical Services Pacific to renew partnership with the organisation for another three years.

The National Child Helpline toll free number 1325 is in operation 24/7 since February 2016 and has nine counsellors on shift work to man the line.