This week saw the launch of the 'Help4U' European initiative, facilitated by Gardaí, to support children and teenagers facing sexual abuse, or online harm. It has been created to provide children, parents, and professionals with trusted access to information, protection and support.
If you or someone you knows photos are being shared online without consent, are being pressured to send photos, or are being asked inappropriate uncomfortable questions, Help4U is here to help. If you are under the age of 18 and feel as if you cannot approach anyone, Help4U provides the clear and helpful advice necessary.
Developed by Europol and CENTRIC, it's designed to protect children and teenagers that are facing this abuse. By providing this platform, it encourages children and teenagers to feel safe and comfortable to approach professionals with their concern. It is made to be accessible and completely private, where they can find trusted people who want to help them.
As part of An Garda Síochána’s work under EMPACT, which is the European Multidisciplinary Platform on Criminal Threats, the Garda National Protective Services Bureau’s online child exploitation team assisted Europol in creating the Help4U platform, helping to combat online child exploitation and offer support and guidance to these affected young people.
Ahead of the projects full roll out, a pilot meeting of the EMPACT group was launched in February of this year at An Garda Síochána’s Walter Scott House in Dublin. Speaking at the meeting, Assistant Commissioner for Organised and Serious Crime Angela Willis said: "I am delighted to see the Help4U platform launched. The aim of the platform is to make a tangible difference to the lives of children who have been impacted by any of the targeted crime types including manipulation or catfishing, sexual extortion harassment or blackmailing, and sharing sexual images.
She also explained the main aim of the Help4U service; "While the platform will provide guidance and advice to children, the key aim is to build a safer, more supportive world for young people, where their voices are heard, their rights are protected, and their futures are brighter. I firmly believe it will be a great support to both victims and potential victims of online child exploitation."
