Everyone is mandated to report to the child protection services if they have reason to believe that a child is living in unacceptable conditions.

Neglect of a child is when it is not properly taken care of, thus damaging its development. Neglect can begin immediately in the womb. It is generally not considered neglect when the child’s needs are not taken care of well enough on the odd occasion. Neglect is divided into four categories.

A child does not receive necessary health care service.

A child does not get appropriate food or clothing.

A child is left alone and unsupervised without being old or mature enough.

A child is left with an unfit individual.

A child is left with someone for an abnormal length of time.

A child isn’t protected and even in danger due to a abnormal condition of a parent because of alcohol- or drug use. Neglect regarding studies.

A child arrives repeatedly at school without necessary tools or clothing and suggestions to parents are unsuccessful.

A child attends school poorly and parents are passive.

A child is not registered for school or misses school a lot due to illegitimate reasons, for example, because of babysitting younger siblings or parents do not wake up.

Parents does not respond to the school’s suggestions for special aid for the child.

A parent responds late or not at all, for example when an infant cries or a child needs support due to external trauma.  

A parent does not stimulate the mental development of a child, for example by pretending to neither hearing nor seeing the child.

The independence of a child is barely stimulated and the child therefore so overprotected that it affects its development.

A parent does not normal boundaries for a child and does not discipline it.

Call 112 in the case of suspicion or knowledge of a child being abused.

Child Protection Services help all children so they can live in acceptable conditions. Report anything you witness or know of to 112.

All children have the right to a secure environment and to be protected against exploitation, abuse, harassment and discrimination. Child Protection Services help children and support families in any way possible to provide the best environment for children.

If you think a child is neglected or abused in any way, it is your duty to notify Child Protective Services. Anyone under the age of 18 is considered a child in Iceland, including unborn babies. You should notify about negligence, incompetence or parent's behaviour towards the child. It can also be about harassment or violence of others towards a child. Do not rely on others to report. 

You can report to Child Protective Services by calling 112 or using the webchat. You can also call your local Child protective service. You need to provide your name but you can always request that your name is kept confidential. Children can also contact authorities themselves. If the child lives in Reykjavík, you can call Reykjavík Child Protective Services at 411 9200 weekdays from 8:20 am-16:15 pm or send a notification through their website. Some other municipalities also allow you to file a report online, such as Akureyri, Hafnarfjörður, Kópavogur and Garðabær.

Child protection service committees in each municipality help children who exist in unacceptable living conditions and provide support for families.

Save the Children offer consultation about children's welfare issues.

Save the Children (Barnaheill) is an organization which protects the rights of children. You can contact them for information on anything regarding the welfare of children, including advice regarding responses to violence against children. They offer legal advice, information about custody issues and children's rights.

On their website, it is possible to report illegal and inappropriate online content regarding or directed at children. Children can report content concerning themselves or other children. Reports are anonymous and forwarded to the police.

If you suspect that a child is being abused, it is your duty to notify child protective services. To report, you can either call 112 or write through the webchat. To get advice, call Save the Children telephone: 553 5900, or send them an email to barnaheill@barnaheill.is.

Protection and information on children's rights

Save the Children (Barnaheill) offers consultation about the welfare of children. On their website, it is possible to report inappropriate online behaviour against children.

You can always call 1717. Full confidentiality and anonymity is guaranteed.

You can call 1717 or talk on their webchat if you want to talk to someone. The volunteers are professionally trained, well-experienced and from all walks of life. You can contact them regarding any issue causing you concern. You can get emotional support, counseling, helpful information or just someone to listen. Both the phone and webchat are free of cost.

When you sign into the webchat, you will be prompted to register a name and email, but you do not need to register your real name or email.

Here are some examples of matters you can talk about:

If you need someone to talk to or need information about where to find help, please do not hesitate to get in touch. If you do not speak fluent Icelandic, you can request to speak English or Polish.

Free of Cost - Confidential – Always Open

The Red Cross Helpline 1717 is a phone service and webchat for those who need someone to talk to in confidentiality. They are open 24 hours, and it's free to call.

Bullying is repeated abuse, physical or mental, in which one or more bully and individual who has difficulty defending themselves. In order to stop the bullying it is important to recognise the signs.   

It is neglect when a child does not receive the care and accommodation that is necessary and can damage its development.  

Neglect against children

Neglect

Physical neglect

Neglect in supervision and looking after

Neglect in studies

Emotional negligence

Available support

Child Protection Services

Save the Children

1717

Bullying