Egypt's National Council for Childhood and Motherhood (NCCM) reported on Wednesday that its Child Rescue Department received 66,645 calls via its hotline (16000) during January and February 2025. Sahar El-Sonbaty, Head of the NCCM, stated that the Council addressed 3,457 complaints, requests for assistance, and service requests received through the hotline and WhatsApp (01102121600). El-Sonbaty said that 87% of service requests were for support and assistance for children at risk, while 13% sought psychological and legal consultations. The complaints received by the hotline included family neglect, emotional and physical violence, child labour, female genital mutilation, child marriage, sexual assault, provision of shelter for found children, and issuance of identification documents. The hotline also handled risks faced by children online and on social media, such as bullying, cyberbullying, blackmail, and threats. According to El-Sonbaty, the governorates with the highest number of service requests were Cairo, Giza, Alexandria, Dakahlia, Sharqia, and Qalyubia. She affirmed that the NCCM, through its Child Rescue Department, had taken necessary measures in cooperation with relevant authorities to protect children, remove danger and harm, and provide necessary support. El-Sonbaty also noted that the Council offers free telephone consultations, both legal and psychological, via the hotline, as well as psychological support, family counselling, behaviour modification, and speech therapy through sessions provided by the Child Rescue Department's psychological support and family counselling unit. El-Sonbaty thanked all relevant authorities cooperating with the NCCM in rescuing children and providing them with necessary support, particularly the Public Prosecution "Child Protection Office" and governorate-level child protection units. Sabry Osman, Director of the Child Rescue Department, noted that complaints are received 24/7 through the hotline, WhatsApp, and the Council's social media pages. All complaints related to violations against children and potential dangers are handled immediately, with referrals based on the severity and type of violence and abuse. The Department cooperates with governorate-level child protection units to take urgent measures to remove danger and harm, as well as a network of NGOs with trained social workers. Osman added that the Child Rescue Department includes a legal support unit of lawyers providing legal assistance, as well as a monitoring, media, and social media unit that monitors cases reported in the media.
