Emergency phase - eruption in Reykjanes

Supporting Children and Families

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 4119200 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 Services help all children so they can live in acceptable conditions. Report anything you witness or know of to 112.

Sóley's Experience

Abuse in the home has severe consequences for children even if they themselves, are not abused. Sóley is a 13 year old girl who grew up in an abusive home controlled by her father. She has now moved to a new home with her mother and brother where they now live a new secure life.

Guidelines for how to react to violence against children

Available support

See all support
Þrjár dökkhærðar stelpur sitja á grasi. Þær snúa baki í myndavélina og spjalla saman.

Save the Children

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

1717

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.

Police

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

Children's welfare

All children have a right to protection against violence. It is the adults’ responsibility to guard this. If you know, or suspect that a child is being abused, you must report it. Serious bullying, negligence or risk behaviour must also be reported. Good communication and education is a good base to prevent violence and put a stop to it as quickly as possible.

Maður og kona faðma stúlku og dreng