Child protection services in Luxembourg

In 1989, the world came together to create a treaty ensuring that children across the globe had the right to "grow, learn, play, develop and flourish with dignity".

The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child further states that children’s rights can be divided into three categories:

• Provision rights: catering to children's basic needs, such as education, healthcare, and a safe environment.
• Protection rights: protecting children from violence, exploitation, and abuse.
• Participation rights: enabling children to have their voices heard.

A 2024 survey by NGO KidsRights ranked Luxembourg highest in the world for protecting children. The study was based on factors such as education and healthcare, child protection, climate, and the environment. Despite this high ranking, there are of course cases whereby children in Luxembourg are at risk of harm and require intervention.

Child protection services 

If a child or young person needs protecting from any form or violence, abuse, neglect, or exploitation, there are several services across Luxembourg that are set up to help, support, and provide information.

The first port of call is the National Office for Children (ONE). Established in 2008, its mission is to support children, young people, and their families. It is soon to undergo some changes by merging with the Childhood Aid Service (Aide à l’enfance service), consolidating its responsibility for juvenile protection and adopting a more central and preventive role.

ONE offers support and advice for children and young people in distress or at risk of distress. The organisation helps children and families by offering personalised plans, including social care, emergency placements, educational and social assistance, therapy sessions, and more.

They are well placed to direct families to the appropriate services as they have links with organisations across the country. ONE aims to work together with families, offering preventative solutions and ensuring children and young people do not fall victim to neglect or abuse.

There is one national office and fourteen regional offices across the country, as well as an online Parents' Forum (Eltereforum) where parents and carers can exchange information and support one another. ONE also collaborates with comparable services in neighbouring countries: the 'Jugendämter' in Germany, the 'Services de l'aide sociale à l’enfance' (ASE) in France, and the 'Services d’aide à la jeunesse' (SAJ) in Belgium. 

The Children's Village Luxembourg (SOS Kannerduerf) is an organisation set up to give guidance and security to children. They organise residential care facilities, offering children the chance to live somewhere stable and secure, either temporarily or for a longer period. They also offer counselling services across the country, both to children and their families, as well as foster families.

OKaJu is the Ombudsman for Children and Young people in Luxembourg. They advocate for equal rights for every child and teenager across the country. If you have witnessed or been the victim of a violation of these rights, their service is available to support you.

To ask for advice or file a complaint, OKaJu can be contacted directly by children or adolescents aged under 18, parents or legal guardians of minors at risk, or third parties.

The Luxembourg Red Cross (Croix-Rouge Luxembourg) helps children and young people in many ways, offering social support, police intervention, medical assistance, and legal information. For children of highly contentious parents, such as those who are going through divorce or experiencing long-term conflict, emotional problems can take their toll.

The Red Cross can help put in place meetings, counselling sessions, and other forms of assistance to protect the child's best interests. They can also help teenagers and young adults live independent lives, encouraging autonomy through schemes such as youth centres and holiday camps.

In emergencies, the Pétrusse House (Péitrusshaus) has a free hotline (8002 6002) which is open 24/7 for young people aged 12 to 21. They offer emergency shelter for youngsters in need, who can either call the helpline or go directly to the centre, which is located at 43 Boulevard de la Pétrusse, Luxembourg-Gare.

Their team of trained professionals are there to listen and offer advice to young people in distress. Staff can also act as mediators between young people and their parents, legal guardians, or social institutions.

Finally, there is a European-wide emergency assistance number for missing children or children in distress. The number (116 000) is operational in 19 EU countries and once dialled, will connect you to the appropriate service in the correct country.

Advice and counselling services for children at risk of harm 

BeeSecure is a counselling service that offers various online guides, from how to stay safe online and cyberbullying, to the dangers of sexting and image rights. The website is currently only in French or German.

BeeSecure also has an emergency telephone helpline (8002 1234) to seek advice on child protection, as well as a ‘Stopline’ where children or adults can report abuse online.

Another place to report abuse is ECPAT, a collaboration with the police and the Luxembourgish judicial authorities. Their mission is to fight and raise awareness of child sexual exploitation. You can find information guides and other documents on their website.

The Children and Youth Telephone (Kanner-Jugendtelefon, KJT) can be reached via 8002 4444 for parents and other adults with caring responsibilities who are looking for information, support or advice relating to their children. The lines are open every day, but the English-speaking services are only open from 6–8pm every Monday evening.

Children and young people can use the 116 111 number to call and talk to someone about anything from sexual abuse and bullying to violence and living with parents with mental illness. Unfortunately, this helpline is not yet available in English, but English-speaking children can contact them using the online help or chat function.

Passage.lu is currently updating their website but check back soon for information on this English-speaking parents’ support network.