Researchers from the universities of Southampton and Warwick held a special discussion event in London on 1 June to assess ChildLine鈥檚 history, impact and legacy, three decades after its phones were first switched on.
Organised by (Southampton) and Dr Jenny Crane (Warwick), the witness seminar brought together historians with representatives from children鈥檚 services, the voluntary sector, government and the media, including ChildLine founder and president Dame Esther Rantzen, the charity鈥檚 longest serving counsellor Colin Butler MBE, former Secretary of State Rt. Hon Shaun Woodward and Children鈥檚 Commissioner, Anne Longfield.
Dr Eve Colpus comments:
鈥淭his is an opportunity for people who have been involved in ChildLine from its inception in the 1980s to the present day, to reflect on the role it has played in raising consciousness of physical, emotional and sexual abuse of children and the support it has given to young people over the years.鈥�
The researchers aim to publish a report later this year, based on the witness seminar, to coincide with the 30th anniversary of ChildLine in October.
You can read more about this project .