Childline at 40

As Childline marks its 40th anniversary after the death of its founder, Dame Esther Rantzen, Currently explores how it transformed support for vulnerable children in the UK.

Through interviews with staff, volunteers, experts and former users, it traces Childline’s origins in 1986 - a time when victims of abuse often went unheard. The programme shows how the service evolved from a telephone helpline into a predominantly digital counselling service. Josephine McDermott highlights changing concerns among young people. These range from physical and sexual abuse and teenage pregnancy to mental health struggles, bullying and online harms. She also examines the organisation’s achievements, the work of its volunteers, and recent safeguarding failures that have prompted reforms.

Details of organisations offering information and support with child sexual abuse and some of the other issues mentioned in this programme are available at bbc.co.uk/actionline.

Producer and Presenter: Josephine McDermott
Researchers: Bethan Ashmead Latham and Evie Yabsley
Technical Producer: Nicky Edwards
Production Coordinator: Ellie Dover
Editor: Tom Bigwood