SOS Helpline for children and young 0800 12222

1. SOS HelplineSOS Helpline for children and youngfor children and young
0800 122220800 12222
First Children’s Embassy in the worldFirst Children’s Embassy in the world MegjashiMegjashi

2. SOS HelplineSOS Helpline for children and youngfor children and young
0800 122220800 12222
 First Children’s Embassy in the world Megjasi is an international, non-First Children’s Embassy in the world Megjasi is an international, non-
goverment, non-partisian and non-profitable humanitarian organization forgoverment, non-partisian and non-profitable humanitarian organization for
care, protection and promotion of the children’s rights, always when they arecare, protection and promotion of the children’s rights, always when they are
contested. Ii’s founded on 29.04.1992 in Skopje.contested. Ii’s founded on 29.04.1992 in Skopje.
 SOS helpline is founded in october 1993 and is first free phone who functionSOS helpline is founded in october 1993 and is first free phone who function
19 years.19 years. It represents a direct service assistance and support to children,It represents a direct service assistance and support to children,
youth and their families.youth and their families.
 Since 2005 thanks to Macedonian Telecom this phone number is free for T-Since 2005 thanks to Macedonian Telecom this phone number is free for T-
Mobile costumers.Mobile costumers.
 So far, we have registeredSo far, we have registered over 18 129 calls concerning problemsover 18 129 calls concerning problems
associated with violence (physical, sexual and psychological), familyassociated with violence (physical, sexual and psychological), family
problems, friends, love problems, personal problems and others.problems, friends, love problems, personal problems and others.

3. FREE LEGAL SERVICEFREE LEGAL SERVICE
 Depending on the type of problem that we refer, callers along withDepending on the type of problem that we refer, callers along with
the SOS office work and free legal service. It dealt with addressesthe SOS office work and free legal service. It dealt with addresses
written to various state and social institutions, follows thewritten to various state and social institutions, follows the
procedures undertaken by these institutions and react if they don’tprocedures undertaken by these institutions and react if they don’t
act in the best interest of children.act in the best interest of children.
 FromFrom the competent institutions we are always looking to inform usthe competent institutions we are always looking to inform us
about the measures and actions that are taken by them, so we canabout the measures and actions that are taken by them, so we can
be active again and respond if necessary. In this way Međašibe active again and respond if necessary. In this way Međaši
monitored on institutions for greater commitment and rapidmonitored on institutions for greater commitment and rapid
response in addressing the problem, in order to best protectresponse in addressing the problem, in order to best protect
childrenchildren..

4. Basic principles that underpin the work ofBasic principles that underpin the work of
SOS HelplineSOS Helpline for children and youngfor children and young
 Confidentiality (conversations between the caller and SOS volunteer areConfidentiality (conversations between the caller and SOS volunteer are
kept in complete secrecy, they are not told to the media, as radio andkept in complete secrecy, they are not told to the media, as radio and
television, printed media, etc.).television, printed media, etc.).
 Anonymity (we don’t insist on the identity of the caller, we respect his desireAnonymity (we don’t insist on the identity of the caller, we respect his desire
for total anonymity), however, we inform him that if the informations that hefor total anonymity), however, we inform him that if the informations that he
give us are false or misleading blame someone, if a suitable state institutiongive us are false or misleading blame someone, if a suitable state institution
seek from us it’s informations we will give them, in order to properly act inseek from us it’s informations we will give them, in order to properly act in
that case.that case.
 When we give informations to relevant government institutions in order toWhen we give informations to relevant government institutions in order to
properly act we point out that informations are protected in accordance withproperly act we point out that informations are protected in accordance with
the protection of personal informations.the protection of personal informations.
 Acceptance and support (the caller is open, without prejudices andAcceptance and support (the caller is open, without prejudices and
convictions)convictions)

5. Method of work of SOS HelplineMethod of work of SOS Helpline for childrenfor children
and youngand young
 Through active listening to the problem, we are giving an adequateThrough active listening to the problem, we are giving an adequate
response, which is oriented to keep the attention of the callerresponse, which is oriented to keep the attention of the caller
 Consultation - a wide range of possible alternatives and decisions receivedConsultation - a wide range of possible alternatives and decisions received
as a result of actively listening to the caller, to an appropriate decision wouldas a result of actively listening to the caller, to an appropriate decision would
be made for next stepbe made for next step
 Giving information that would be useful for solving the problem of the callerGiving information that would be useful for solving the problem of the caller
 Diverting callsDiverting calls
- Calls that are more specific nature, there are specialized services for- Calls that are more specific nature, there are specialized services for
specific problemsspecific problems
 Face to face consultationFace to face consultation
- Direct psychological counseling if it is necessary, or if the person that- Direct psychological counseling if it is necessary, or if the person that
needs help manifest a desire for it.needs help manifest a desire for it.

6. Commonly reported problems of SOSCommonly reported problems of SOS
helpline for children and younghelpline for children and young
 physical, sexual or psychological violencephysical, sexual or psychological violence
 neglect by parents, not receiving enough care, attention, love and affectionneglect by parents, not receiving enough care, attention, love and affection
 problems that arise as a consequence of family relations and relationsproblems that arise as a consequence of family relations and relations
 problems within the school (loss of concentration, distrust in the relationproblems within the school (loss of concentration, distrust in the relation
teacher-student)teacher-student)
 Besides these common types of problems to the SOS helpline for childrenBesides these common types of problems to the SOS helpline for children
and youth is reported and:and youth is reported and:
-institutional abuse-institutional abuse
-sexual abuse-sexual abuse
-affair juvenile-adult-affair juvenile-adult
-children who beg-children who beg
-problems in communication-problems in communication
-children whose families are in social risk-children whose families are in social risk
-abuse by the media and so on.-abuse by the media and so on.

7. SOS helpline for children and young inSOS helpline for children and young in
numbers, during it’s 19 years operationnumbers, during it’s 19 years operation
yearyear Nb. ofNb. of
callscalls
femalefemale malemale To 12To 12
yearsyears
13-1813-18
yearsyears
Up to 18Up to 18
yearsyears
1993-1993-
19941994
37693769 537537 24962496 471471 21922192 370370
1994-19951994-1995 46094609 136136 24762476 339339 20882088 183183
1995-19961995-1996 990990 8888 328328 2222 279279 115115
1996-19971996-1997 12941294 108108 596596 4646 469469 191191
1997-19981997-1998 12001200 107107 399399 5959 279279 168168
1998-19991998-1999 12501250 6262 259259 1414 202202 105105
1999-20001999-2000 10001000 9292 184184 1111 113113 152152
1411214112

8. SOS helpline for children and young inSOS helpline for children and young in
numbers, during it’s 19 years operationnumbers, during it’s 19 years operation
2000-20012000-2001 143143 2929 114114 4343 4646 5454
2001-20022001-2002 7777 1919 5858 // 1818 5959
2002-20032002-2003 324324 7777 247247 1212 103103 209209
2003-20042003-2004 414414 9898 316316 4343 117117 254254
2004-20052004-2005 912912 320320 592592 198198 225225 489489
2005-20062005-2006 704704 190190 154154 // // //
2006-20072006-2007 361361 // // // // //
2007-20082007-2008 360360 // // // // //
2008-20092008-2009 377377 128128 231231 66 1818 353353
2009-20102009-2010 239239 163163 205205 55 1616 208208
01.01-01.01-
31.07.20131.07.201
11
106106 3636 5353 33 55 8585
ВкупноВкупно 40174017

9. Who works with children inWho works with children in SOS helpline forSOS helpline for
children and youngchildren and young
 SOS helpline for children and youth 0800 1 2222 we have professionalsSOS helpline for children and youth 0800 1 2222 we have professionals
working - a pedagogue, psychologist, social worker and lawyer.working - a pedagogue, psychologist, social worker and lawyer.
 The activities involved and volunteers who are mostly students andThe activities involved and volunteers who are mostly students and
graduates of faculties of pedagogy, psychology, legal studies and thegraduates of faculties of pedagogy, psychology, legal studies and the
Institute for Social Work teachers and others.Institute for Social Work teachers and others.
 These people first realize the talks and contacts with callers and are inThese people first realize the talks and contacts with callers and are in
constant coordination with mentoring coordinator and co-coordinator of theconstant coordination with mentoring coordinator and co-coordinator of the
SOS helpline for children and youth services and other direct assistance bySOS helpline for children and youth services and other direct assistance by
the First Children Embassy in the World.the First Children Embassy in the World.

10. Calling by ageCalling by age
 SOS helpline for children and young line is open to all age groups. MostSOS helpline for children and young line is open to all age groups. Most
interviewees are searching for their identity, seek guidance, skills andinterviewees are searching for their identity, seek guidance, skills and
support most of the shaping of his personality.support most of the shaping of his personality.
 Most of the contacts and the report by adults, while children and youngMost of the contacts and the report by adults, while children and young
people are not enough encouraged to report their problems.people are not enough encouraged to report their problems.
 In 2011 only 8 children victims of violence had the courage to reportIn 2011 only 8 children victims of violence had the courage to report
violence by them self.violence by them self.

11. CCampaigns for SOS Children andampaigns for SOS Children and
YouthYouth
 For violence you shouldn’t be silentFor violence you shouldn’t be silent

12.  The idea for this campaign comes from analysis of data recived from theThe idea for this campaign comes from analysis of data recived from the
work of SOS in the last few years. The results show an increase of reportswork of SOS in the last few years. The results show an increase of reports
of abuse and violence on children indicates that children are protected. Inof abuse and violence on children indicates that children are protected. In
recent years report that we get mostly brought by adult witnesses ofrecent years report that we get mostly brought by adult witnesses of
violence and abuse to which children are exposed.?violence and abuse to which children are exposed.?
First Children's Embassy in the World this campaign is realizing inFirst Children's Embassy in the World this campaign is realizing in
cooperation with Accent Media as media partner by placing billboards in thecooperation with Accent Media as media partner by placing billboards in the
Republic of Macedonia. There are 20 ready bilboards of which 8 areRepublic of Macedonia. There are 20 ready bilboards of which 8 are
bilingual (Macedonian and Albanian). 10 billboards are placed in the city ofbilingual (Macedonian and Albanian). 10 billboards are placed in the city of
Skopje, and 1 billboard has been placed in Prilep, Bitola, Struga, Gostivar,Skopje, and 1 billboard has been placed in Prilep, Bitola, Struga, Gostivar,
Debar, Tetovo, Kumanovo, Strumica, Stip and Veles.Debar, Tetovo, Kumanovo, Strumica, Stip and Veles.

13. CCampaigns for responsible parenthoodampaigns for responsible parenthood

14.  This campaign is a continuation ofThis campaign is a continuation of
the campaign "Did you hug yourthe campaign "Did you hug your
child" and "Did you tell your childchild" and "Did you tell your child
how much you want him?'‘that thehow much you want him?'‘that the
First Children's Embassy in theFirst Children's Embassy in the
World enforced at the beginning ofWorld enforced at the beginning of
2007 and 2008. The aim of the2007 and 2008. The aim of the
campaign is to encouragecampaign is to encourage
responsible parenting. How manyresponsible parenting. How many
more children are showing love bymore children are showing love by
hugging them, kissing them andhugging them, kissing them and
telling them "I love you", the moretelling them "I love you", the more
you want to show that theyyou want to show that they
deserve. Love gives the building adeserve. Love gives the building a
sense of confidence and selfsense of confidence and self
esteem in children. But byesteem in children. But by
themselves, hugging and tellingthemselves, hugging and telling
the child that is loved is notthe child that is loved is not
enough. It is to be discussed.enough. It is to be discussed.

15. SOS helpline for children and young isSOS helpline for children and young is
member ofmember of CHICHI
Childrens help internacionalChildrens help internacional
 SOS helpline for children and young people is part of CHI childrens helpSOS helpline for children and young people is part of CHI childrens help
internacional which unites SOS assistance services to children and younginternacional which unites SOS assistance services to children and young
people worldwide.people worldwide.
 Every year on the occasion 17 - May - International Day of SOS help linesEvery year on the occasion 17 - May - International Day of SOS help lines
and support to children in the world, the First Children Embassy in the Worldand support to children in the world, the First Children Embassy in the World
inform the public about the state of our free SOS helpline for children andinform the public about the state of our free SOS helpline for children and
youth 0800 12222 as well as reminiscent of meaning of the lines to helpyouth 0800 12222 as well as reminiscent of meaning of the lines to help
children.children.

16. Financial sustainability of the SOS helplineFinancial sustainability of the SOS helpline
for children and youngfor children and young
 First Children's Embassy in the World has tried to ensure financialFirst Children's Embassy in the World has tried to ensure financial
sustainability by encouraging the business sector for greater socialsustainability by encouraging the business sector for greater social
responsability, selling Christmas cards and donated by citizens in boxesresponsability, selling Christmas cards and donated by citizens in boxes
placed in several locations in the country. However these funds are notplaced in several locations in the country. However these funds are not
enough and is nessessery assistance and support from the Government ofenough and is nessessery assistance and support from the Government of
Republic of Macedonia.Republic of Macedonia.
For this purpose, we told to President of the Republic of Macedonia, MrFor this purpose, we told to President of the Republic of Macedonia, Mr
Ivanov, Prime Minister of the Republic of Macedonia Mr. Nikola Gruevski,Ivanov, Prime Minister of the Republic of Macedonia Mr. Nikola Gruevski,
the National Commission on the Rights of the Child, and to Ministry ofthe National Commission on the Rights of the Child, and to Ministry of
Labour and social Policy to remind these institutions on theLabour and social Policy to remind these institutions on the
recommendations of the Committee on the rights of the child adopted inrecommendations of the Committee on the rights of the child adopted in
Geneva where he says:Geneva where he says:

17. Recommendation of the Committee on theRecommendation of the Committee on the
Rights of the ChildRights of the Child
 Committee on the Rights of the Child in Geneva on its fifty-fourthCommittee on the Rights of the Child in Geneva on its fifty-fourth
session considered the reports from Member States after 44 article of thesession considered the reports from Member States after 44 article of the
Convention onConvention on
Rights of the Child. We consider the second periodic report of the RepublicRights of the Child. We consider the second periodic report of the Republic
of Macedoniaof Macedonia and adoptedand adopted
several references to notes of his 1514 th s meating, on June 11several references to notes of his 1514 th s meating, on June 11
2010. In it’s recommendations to the Government of the Republic of2010. In it’s recommendations to the Government of the Republic of
Macedonia withMacedonia with
states:states:
"The Committee notes the 24-hour free SOS helpline"The Committee notes the 24-hour free SOS helpline
children and young people, but is worried that there is no financial supportchildren and young people, but is worried that there is no financial support
that is available.that is available.
The Committee recommends the State party to ensure continuityThe Committee recommends the State party to ensure continuity
including with appropriate separation means, for a free 24-hourincluding with appropriate separation means, for a free 24-hour
helpline.helpline.

18. First Children’s Embassy in the worldFirst Children’s Embassy in the world
Ul. Kosta Novakovik nb. 22Ul. Kosta Novakovik nb. 22
10001000 Skopje Republic of MacedoniaSkopje Republic of Macedonia
phonephone. ++389 (02)2465-316. ++389 (02)2465-316
faxfax.++389(02)2463-900.++389(02)2463-900
www.childrensembassy.org.mkwww.childrensembassy.org.mk
info@childrensembassy.org.mkinfo@childrensembassy.org.mk
sos@childrensembassy.org.mksos@childrensembassy.org.mk