54.227 children supported by "The Smile of the Child" during the 1st Half of 2025

54.227 children supported by "The Smile of the Child" during the 1st Half of 2025
PRESS RELEASE

Athens, Jul

y 10, 20251st Half of 2025

Statistical Data from the Organization’s 10 Specialized Action Centers

Youth violence out of control / the numbers are shocking / time for truths—and solutions.

• Managed 561 calls per day (Total: 101,458 calls across 4 Helplines and Hotlines)
•  4 children and adolescents contacted Organization daily seeking help and support
• 1 child per day receives on-site intervention in cases of immediate danger
• 1 child every 2 days supported or reported for issues of sexual abuse
• 2 children per day supported for issues related to bullying
• 10 children per day supported for physical, psychological abuse and neglect
• 1 child every 2 days supported for suicidal ideation
• 261 students daily received preventive interventions on topics such as violence, abuse, bullying, missing, runaways, etc.
• 10 infants and children transported daily via medical transport services
• 31 children per day received preventive medical and dental check-ups
• 27 daily cases of children with health issues who received support
• 56 children per day supported with living condition difficulties, along with their families
• 1 missing child and 1 missing  adult searched for every 3 days

On Thursday, July 10, 2025, at the Panhellenic Coordinating Operational Center for Immediate Social and Medical Intervention “ANDREAS ΥIANNOPOULOS”, the statistical report for the first half of 2025 was presented by "The Smile of the Child."

Costas Yannopoulos, President of the Organization, noted:

“Unfortunately, as you will see, the data we present today confirms the harsh reality and horror that thousands of children and families in our country experience every day.
A reality that ‘The Smile of the Child’ fights to change through preventative action and meaningful nationwide initiatives. A reality that, if left unchanged, we fear may become the norm.

The only way to reverse this is for society to invest in prevention and for us to encourage children, teens, parents, educators, and citizens to speak up and seek help.
This is exactly what ‘The Smile of the Child’ provides to all, through the National Helpline for Children SOS 1056, Chat1056, and all other services available 365 days a year, 24/7, across all of Greece.

The numbers are revealing and shocking and not isolated incidents anymore, but an escalating social threat, with a snowball effect.

Despite the challenges we face ourselves, we stand by the institutions of the state and next to Greek society—every child and every family—with a dedicated team of experts.
I call on everyone—agencies and citizens—make use of our services!

In closing, I sincerely thank our volunteers—5,703 adults, most importantly 384 children and adolescents as well as our 358 employees, and our valued supporters and businesses standing with us.
Their contributions and cooperation are the driving force behind our mission to bring real, positive change to those in need.”

 

"The Smile of the Child" - 1st Half of 2025 Overview

Hotlines & Helpline

• 101,458 calls received through:
• National Helpline for Children SOS 1056
• European Hotline for Missing Children 116000
• European Helpline for Children and Adolescents 116111
• National Hotline for Missing Adults 1017
• Average waiting time: 12 seconds
• Data extracted from the RTEL World – Wallboards & Dashboard system

National Center for Child Abuse & Exploitation

• 302 reports via Cybertipline Hellas concerning 386 children in serious abuse or neglect cases
• 345 children victims or involved in trafficking incidents supported
• 696 reports of serious abuse and neglect involving 1,336 children:
• Physical abuse: 475
• Sexual abuse: 32
• Neglect/Abandonment: 663
• Psychological/Emotional abuse: 129
• Support to 123 women victims of domestic violence and their 167 children
• 103 on-site interventions for 195 children in immediate danger
• Counseling provided to 1,733 individuals regarding child abuse, exploitation, delinquency, peer relationships, mental health, etc.
• 99 children received psychotherapy services at the “House of the Child” Day Center
• Interactive interventions with 4,559 children, 1,780 teachers, 1,378 parents, and 406 professionals

National Center for Missing Children & Adults

• Interactive prevention actions with 755 children, 75 teachers, and 322 parents/guardians
• 94 requests to support the search for 79 missing children
• 78% were adolescents, 71% of whom were girls
• Main causes: family relationships, romantic relationships
• Amber Alert Hellas activated for 7 children
• Search & Rescue Team “Thanassis Makris” mobilized for 3 children
• 55 requests for 53 missing adults
• Main causes: mental health conditions, substance/alcohol use
• MISSING ALERT activated in 28 adult disappearance cases
• “Thanasis Makris” Team mobilized for 7 adults
• Most children were found within a week of going missing

Center for Violence & Bullying

• Counseling provided to 307 children on bullying issues
• Prevention interventions to 17.938 students, 1.201 parents/guardians, 1.106 teachers, and 63 professionals
• 6 bullying cases reported via Cybertipline Hellas

Center for Internet Safety

• 13 children reported issues via Cybertipline Hellas (Cyberbullying & Sextortion)
• 104 children supported for online dangers (main causes: problematic use & sexual extortion)
• Interventions for 3.761 children, 582 parents, and 37 professionals
• 114 online danger cases handled

Care Homes

• 22 requests for child placement involving 38 children
• 69 young adults formerly raised in the  the Organization’s Care Homes received ongoing support
• 106 children accommodated  in the Organization’s Care Homes
• 58 children and their families supported through the Day Care Program
• From 2006–2020: 87 children restored to families (7 fostered, 80 adopted)
• Since Law 4538/2018 (July 2020–2025): 75 children (29 fostered, 46 adopted)
• 13 children returned to care after failed family placements
• 411 children reunited with biological families

Center for Health Services

• 754 children newly engaged in recreational creative  hospital care programs
• 3,645 infants/children and 2.375 adults transferred
• 689 children with health problems received holistic support (5,571 requests covered)
• 108 children examined at the 2 Social Polyclinics
• 4,043 children received preventive medical and dental exams
• 330 children received at-home pediatric care

Support Center for Vulnerable Children, Youth & Families

• Holistic support for 10,072 children
• 17% from large families
• 27% from single-parent households
• 73% with unemployed or precariously employed parents
• 7,743 requests for material support (food, clothes, baby items, furniture, etc.)
• 243 family referrals to the Center for Health Services 
• 597 referrals to the SOS1056 helpline for counseling
• 3,474 requests for guidance, educational/social needs, networking
• 1,298 hours of counseling provided

Academy for Education & Training - “Smile Academy”

Training and education provided to:

• 228 employees of the Organization
• 527 volunteers
• 91 children from vulnerable families
• 3.318 students, parents, teachers
• 1.136 professionals

More information:
“The Smile of the Child” – Press Office
Tel. 11040
Email: press@hamogelo.gr