ALO 116111 goes live with a unique platform to report violence against children in Albania

The Albanian National Child Helpline - ALO 116 111 launched today the “Raporto Tani/Report Now” web-based reporting platform, the first of its kind online, with the help of UNICEF Albania and the European Union. The portal allows children to report any type of violation of a child's rights at any time of day and from anywhere in Albania, using a variety of methods. Starting today, all children and adolescents in Albania will be able to report any case of violence, abuse, or bullying via the online www.alo116.al platform and the ALO116111 smartphone app with a single click.

This website, in addition to the reporting function, includes an interactive communication mechanism through a dedicated chat function that children and adolescents can use to communicate with counsellors in real-time about any issues or concerns they face in their daily life. On the other hand, the www.alo116.al platform and the ALO116111 App have been designed as a counselling space for both children and parents. Children and adolescents who may have fallen victim to violence and bullying, exploitation and neglect and their families, parents, guardians and others, will be able to find support, counselling and information on this platform with just a simple click.

Since its inception, ALO 116111 has used telephone lines as the technology that allowed children to report any violence perpetrated against them. However, the widespread use of the internet and the other opportunities it provides, as well as the connection that children and adolescents have with technology, prompted ALO 116111 and UNICEF in Albania, to develop two new methods for reporting violence in our country. Web-based reporting platforms and mobile applications are considered an advantage in uncovering cases of violence, abuse, neglect, and exploitation while ensuring anonymity and confidentiality, including for children with disabilities.

All these opportunities which are being offered for the first time in Albania in the context of child protection from all forms of violence were unveiled today at the event hosted by the ALO 116111  Child Helpline and the Ministry of Health and Social Protection. The event detailed all steps children and adolescents should follow to make a timely and accurate report.

During the launch of this platform, the Vice Minister of Health and Social Protection, Mr Albert Nikolla said: “The situation regarding children and adolescents in Albania and their connection to technology, ushers in new responsibilities for us, and as the line ministry responsible for child protection, we feel fulfilled when we can create a quick connection between children victims of violence and experts, regardless of the geographic location of the child in question”.

Dr Roberto De Bernardi in his remarks stressed that “Child helplines play a crucial role in improving and promoting children’s rights. First the Earthquake Emergency and the Pandemic-related restrictions, brought an enhanced burden to the child protection system to prevent and timely respond to violence against children. Children rely on ALO 116 111 and the child protection system support to keep them from violence at home and outside. We have to make sure we hear their needs and hold their hand in times of heightened difficulties. We are extremely grateful that with the support of our development partners we are supporting children to report cases of violence and abuse through their preferred platforms, through the web and on mobile apps”.

The Head of Operations at the European Delegation in Albania, Mrs Lenka Vitkova in her greeting remarks stated “Building the children’s capacities with knowledge in the field of children’s rights, with concrete tools to assess, monitor and advocate the issues of concern to them is critical. I am happy that two EU funded projects implemented by our partners UNICEF and Terre des Hommes are supporting the national child helpline, operated by ALO 116 to expand its service into a web-based reporting platform to diversify the service and help more children with increased anonymity and communication tools. These referrals will enable vulnerable children & families affected by COVID-19 to access social protection, education and mental health & psycho-social services”.

During the launching, the participants had the pleasure to closely hear about the mobile application ALO 116111 by the young people of the ALO 116 111 children’s board themselves. The board has a special contribution in conceiving and improving the application itself, making it more friendly to the younger generation.

This event was organized in the framework of ALO 116111 programme “No child Unheard” implemented with the support of UNICEF in Albania within the regional programme “Mitigating the impact of COVID-19 on the lives of children and families in the Western Balkans and Turkey” and the financial support of the European Union.