site.btaChild Protection Agency Registers 2,000-Plus Reports About Children at Risk in 2025

A total of 2,063 reports about children at risk were registered in 2025 by the State Agency for Child Protection. The National Child Helpline at 116 111 received 25,356 calls, which led to 13,078 psychological support consultations, said Deputy Chair Ivayla Kasarova on Thursday during a conference  focused on violence against children. The event was organized within the framework of a project, “Key to Protection in Western Bulgaria,” implemented by the Animus Association Foundation under the INSPIRE programme.

Kasarova outlined the main goals of the National Programme for the Prevention of Violence and Abuse of Children (2023–2026). These include effective protection from violence and harmful influences in children’s living environments, ensuring an appropriate legal framework, investigating cases of violence and exploitation, increasing the professional capacity of specialists, and supporting parents.

“We monitor and support the development of systems that bear responsibility toward children,and measures needed to address accumulated problems,” said Eva Zhecheva, head of the Children’s Rights Directorate at the Bulgaria’s Ombudsman Office. “We strive to build bridges between children, parents, and decision-makers,” she added. According to her, the sustainability of child-related policies in recent years has been threatened by the political crises in the country.

“Cases in which perpetrators of sexual abuse against children are punished are isolated,” said Nadezhda Stoycheva, psychotherapist and director of the Animus Association Foundation. She shared her experience working with affected children. Although there is a mechanism for child protection, coordination between institutions is not at a high level, she said. “Everyone says that children are the future of Bulgaria, but despite this growing problem, we still do not have a strategy,” Stoycheva noted.

“An initiative like this increases public sensitivity to the signs of violence and encourages greater commitment to the protection of children. Our shared mission is to guarantee the rights and interests of children. This can only be achieved through greater understanding and consistent policies in support of children and families,” said Nadya Klisurska, Deputy Minister of Labor and Social Policy, in an address to the organizers.