Why Childline called Christmas Day 'A day of trauma and despair'

ISPCC, The Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, has revealed that Childline received 820 from children on Christmas Day.

St Stephens Day, according to ISPCC, was "one of busiest days of the year for Childline with data showing a 12% increase in contacts made to Ireland’s only 24-hour listening service for children and young people."

ISPCC has said, "the heartbreaking data complied over a three-day Christmas period shows that:

For many children, Christmas is not a time of joy but one of fear and misery as they contact Childline to talk about: Suicide, Abuse. Neglect, Bereavement and Loneliness."

John Church, CEO, ISPCC said: “For too many children and young people, Christmas simply doesn’t happen. They turn to Childline for support, and our amazing staff and volunteers are there for them 24/7 over Christmas, as they are throughout the year. We depend on donations for up to 90% of the funding which keeps us listening 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days of the year. Without this help, we would not be able to be here for every child who needs us.”

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Additional statistics from ISPCC reveal that "50 children a year are in the process of trying to take their own life while on the phone to the Childline team."

 "Over 200 actively suicidal children have contacted Childline during the last year. The Childline team has had 1,300 suicide-related contacts over the past 12 months," ISPCC added.

To help Childline help those children whose Christmas dreams have turned to nightmares, go to ispcc.ie