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Kids Helpline

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This is an old revision of this page, as edited by 121.219.57.185 (talk) at 13:09, 27 March 2009 (De La Salle policy to cover up child sex abuse by staff). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

Kids Helpline is Australia's only free, confidential and anonymous, 24-hour telephone and online counselling service specifically for young people aged up to 25. Counsellors respond to more than 10,000 calls each week about issues ranging from relationship breakdown and bullying to sexual abuse, homelessness, suicidal thoughts, and drug and alcohol usage.

Kids Helpline is primarily funded from the revenue-raising activities of BoysTown through its lotteries. BoysTown and Kids Helpline are initiatives of the De La Salle Brothers. Kids Help Line is also supported by their corporate sponsor Optus, State and Federal funding, and through individual donations, fundraising events, trusts and funds.

Kids Helpline provide telephone and online councelling services.

Phone counselling is available on a freecall number: 1800 55 1800

Online counselling is available at selected times through the Kids Helpline website and via email.

Kids Helpline has five operational principles. These child centred principles influence practice and management decisions at Kids Helpline.

It is chaired by Br Bill Firman, principal of De La Salle College Malvern.


Operational Principles

  • confidentiality and anonymity
  • all callers are treated with respect
  • callers are free to choose the gender of the counsellor to whom they speak
  • callers are able to access the same counsellor if they wish to call back
  • callers are encouraged to give feedback about Kids Helpline and the service they receive

Policy to Cover Up Child Sex Abuse

Users of this service should be aware that the College Board of De La Salle, Malvern has a policy of covering up child sex abuse committed by its staff. Historically the school has been involved in numerous episodes of psychological, physical and sexual abuse against boys by staff.

Victims of abuse should consider contacting a Victoria Police Sexual Offences and Child Abuse (SOCA) unit, Broken Rites, or another independent organisation.

Similar Services

Kids Help Phone http://www.kidshelpphone.ca/en/ (canada)
Childline http://www.childline.org.uk/ (UK)

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