Initiated by a group of United Nations and non-governmental organizations committed to protecting the rights of children and youth in Cambodia and arising from an identified need for children and young people in Cambodia to have a confidential counselling and referral telephone service, Child Helpline Cambodia (CHC) was established in October 2009. After securing the free helpline - 1280 - from the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications, CHC was formally launched in August 2010. CHC is an independent national NGO officially registered with the Ministry of Interior on 12 July 2012.

In September 2011, CHC achieved full membership with Child Helpline International and joined a global network of over 150 child and youth helplines. Helplines operating globally have established an effective child protection foundation and continue to play a vital role in promoting children's rights to survival, protection, development and participation. CHC is the first of its kind in Cambodia.

CHC focuses on a wide range of children’s rights as outlined in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Children, but specifically for children’s rights to be heard and for each young person to be able to freely express their views (Article 12), children’s rights to freedom of expression (Article 13), children’s rights to appropriate information (Article 17), and the whole range of protection rights which is best encapsulated in Article 19. CHC works to this mandate and aims to support any child or youth who calls in, is threatened by or experiencing the most serious forms of abuse, and needs either someone to talk to or a referral to appropriate services.

CHC provides a free, national, professional phone-counselling and information service and effective referral and follow-up system with the aim of promoting active participation by children and young people, communities, NGOs and government departments/personnel to protect and empower children and youth. In August 2016, CHC receives national accreditation by the Cooperation Committee of Cambodia, “Compliance with the Standard of Good Governance and Professional Practice”. In December 2016, CHC was accredited with Child Safe Organization certificate by the Ministry of Social Affairs, Veterans and Youth Rehabilitation.

In January 2017, CHC received a global Stars Impact Award by the Stars Foundation, in recognition of the positive impact it has provided Cambodian children, young people and their families.