Physically, emotionally and sexually mistreating, violating, disregarding or denying a child is called child abuse. Child abuse is prevalent in our community, mostly seen yet sadly, unreported. Child abuse continues to spread. Collectively, we need to recognise the root cause of this evil and work towards dismissing it completely; the solution is awareness and addressal. Children, for the most part, are incapable to comprehend the grimness of what is happening because of a lack of knowledge and dependence on their abusers. Children are often incapable of communicating that they have been abused or mistreated. In these times, we as adults, need to be their advocates to support and encourage them to stand up and speak out.
The Constitution of India, Article 15(3), enables the administration to make unique stipulations for children. Article 39 of Part IV of the Constitution guarantees that the state directs its policies to protect children from abuse. It assures that children do not take up occupations that hinder their growth and development. It also works to warrant those vulnerable children receive medical care, education and a safe environment. Already, the child protection act is being tested by perpetrators whose acts are rarely reported. In our quest to protect the vulnerable, we must understand the child protection act that has been enacted to combat child abuse.
Here are some statutes to foster child protection, which will help you understand the initiatives taken by the country’s representatives:
a) The Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015 is India's foundational child protection act that deals with children who need care and protection.
b) The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO), 2012 combats sexual violence against children.
c) The Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, 2013 introduces several new sexual offences under the Indian Penal Act, such as Section 376(2)(i), IPC, which criminalises rape of a woman below 16 years of age.
In association with the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR), Save the Children has launched Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for the care and protection of street children. Recovery and rehabilitation pursuits include issuing Aadhaar cards, health insurance, bank accounts and financial support to families to meet a child's medical and nutritional necessities. It also brings children together in groups to educate them and create awareness to resist child marriages, human trafficking, abuse, child labour and other evils that endanger their innocence.
Save the Children, in alignment with the child protection act, is tirelessly striving for the protection of children who have been pushed into child labour, those facing abuse in the community, trafficked children, children affected by disaster or emergencies. They rescue children facing various kinds of harms including abuse, neglect, exploitation, physical threat and violence. Administering programmes in India’s most distant parts, the NGO is operated by the premise of ensuring happy and safe childhoods for all children. They partner with civil society organisations, child-led initiatives, governments and other key stakeholders to ensure they meet the end goal.
Have you done your part yet? Get involved, volunteer with Save the Children!
Visit www.savethechildren.in/volunteer to register yourself.
