Bavaria launches free child protection hotline for young people in distress from 1 July
Starting 1 July 2026, children and adolescents in Bavaria can reach a new free hotline staffed by trained specialists who connect them to local youth offices and counselling services for issues ranging from bullying to abuse.
The new hotline
Starting 1 July, children and young people in distress in Bavaria can call 0800 8888 004, a toll-free child protection hotline based at the Bavarian State Youth Office. The service runs Monday to Thursday from 9am to noon and 1pm to 4pm, Friday from 9am to noon, with an additional Wednesday slot from 6pm to 8pm. It is designed for those facing conflict at home, stress at school, bullying, physical violence, abuse or cybergrooming. Adults worried about a child’s welfare can also use the number.
Minister’s statement
Children and young people who are threatened or affected by physical violence, abuse, bullying, cybergrooming or any form of violence need fast, low-threshold and uncomplicated access to concrete support and help via a central contact point.
How it works
Callers will reach specially trained staff who can connect them directly to the responsible youth offices or advice centres. The hotline has local emergency contacts for all Bavarian youth offices already in its system, allowing for rapid local referrals. The ministry says this goes beyond existing national services such as the “Nummer gegen Kummer” (116 111), which also provides a low-threshold ear for children’s concerns.
Existing support
Bavaria already offers a wide range of support services for children, young people and families, the ministry notes. The new hotline is described as another important building block, specifically aimed at giving children and adolescents in Bavaria a direct and tailored avenue to help on the ground, including through local youth welfare contacts and youth counselling centres.
