The Convention on the Rights of the Child

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.

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.

112 operators will connect you to the police if you need assistance because of abuse or violence.

In Iceland, the police enjoy a high level of trust from residents, and people may safely approach the police if they believe that they have been the victim of an offence or violence. The Icelandic police works according to law and seeks to help everyone living in Iceland, irrelevant of whether they are Icelandic citizens or not. The Icelandic police does not have special connection to the police in your home country.

Abuse in close relationships is a matter of a priority for the police. It is possible to call, send a text message to 112 or contact them through the webchat. You can also go to the nearest police station.

If you have suffered any form of abuse you can also talk to a police officer at Bjarkarhlíð in Reykjavík or Bjarmahlíð in Akureyri. It can be more comfortable to go there. There is no pressure to press charges. Everything is done according to your wishes.

Immigrants have a right to get an interpreter when dealing with the police and in court.​ The institution in question should pay for the interpreter. ​You need to ask for an interpreter yourself with notice. Don’t be afraid to say you need the service. It’s your right.

The police helps everyone living in Iceland

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The police in Iceland help people who have suffered abuse of any kind. Police see abuse in close relationships as a very serious matter. 

Online communication can be tricky. It is important to teach children ways to prevent digital abuse and teach them ways to deal with it if it happens.

Talk to your children about safe online communication

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.

Save the Children

Protection and information on children's rights

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Child Protection Services

1717

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Talk to your children about safe online communication