Dame Esther Rantzen on why she’s supporting The Independent’s SafeCall campaign
Dame Esther Rantzen, broadcaster and lifelong campaigner for children’s rights, has thrown her support behind Independent‘s SafeCall campaign aims to raise vital funds to help missing children find safety and support.
Dame Esther, creator of counseling service Childline, which has helped millions of children for nearly three decades, has devoted much of her life to protecting young people and has used her television career to make their voices heard.
He is now backing this publication’s call for funding for a new service to reach the 70,000 children reported missing each year in the UK.
Dame Esther said: “Many young people who are exploited do not feel they can ask for help and be listened to at a time when they are afraid, alone and vulnerable.
“This new service means there is finally a way for them to seek help with confidence and hope. Being lost is a crisis; it’s a crucial moment to intervene and help young people on their terms.”
Donate here or donate £10 by texting SAFE to 70577. Missing Persons – enough for one child to get help.
Dame Esther launches Childline after long-running BBC show This is life!A special episode called ‘Childwatch’ was broadcast on the series, which he produced and hosted from 1973 to 1994. He invited viewers to take part in a survey if they were abused as a child.
After the program, the producers opened a 48-hour helpline so that children could call and ask for help. More than 50,000 calls came in on the first night, many of them from children being sexually abused.
In his book Tears Running OutDame Esther wrote: “I will never forget walking into my office the morning after the program to meet the social workers manning the helpline. “I knew at that moment that working to help protect abused children was much more important to me than any of my previous jobs.
“When I heard about these secret children, all hiding a terrible secret, I passionately wanted to be able to help them. This was the most important goal I worked for.”
Around 600 children go missing every day in the UK. Independent It aims to raise £165,000 to help launch SafeCall, a free new service that will provide confidential support, guidance and a route to safety for children in crisis.
Dame Esther, who is also a patron of many charities advocating for children, was appointed Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) in the 2015 New Year Honors List. He received this honor for his services to children and the elderly through his charities Childline and The Silver Line, which provide support to the elderly.
“It has been an honor to be alongside Missing People and the young people they help as they develop this new service over many years. I am so excited. Independent “We support such an important cause,” he said.
Please donate now to the SafeCall campaign launched by The Independent and the charity Missing People and help raise £165,000 to create a free service to help lost children find safety, security and support.
For advice, support and options, if you or a loved one is lost, text or call the charity Missing People on 116 000. It’s free, confidential and non-judgmental. Or visit www.missingpeople.org.uk/get-help
