CHILD PROTECTION

[1]                                                          

                                                          Child Protection

India is home to almost 19 percent of the world's children. More than one third of the country's population, around 440 million, is below 18 years. In India with its multicultural, multi-ethnic and multi-religious population, the problems of socially marginalized and economically backward groups are immense. Within such groups the most vulnerable section is always the children.

There is now a realization that if issues of child abuse and neglect like female feticide and infanticide, girl child discrimination, child marriage, trafficking of children and so on are not addressed, it will affect the overall progress of the country. Declining sex ratio at birth 914:1000, Infant mortality of 47 per live births and child mortality is a concern.  40% of India’s children are stunted with chronic malnutrition. . 85% of children who are working are hidden and excluded. 53.22% children reported having faced one or more forms of sexual abuse. 2 out of 3 children were victims of corporal punishment.

According to WHO (World Health Organization), India has the world's largest number of sexually abused children.  Psychological, neglect, physical,and sexual abuse.

Ø  Education to our Children at home at first, par­ents need to be aware of the situation and edu­cate children on appropriate/inappropriate behavior, when to trust, whom and how much, how to speak their mind out, etc…

Ø  Talk to your friends and neighbors about child abuse and ways to prevent them.

Ø  Perpetrators may be anywhere in any form we cannot have a fixed mind of this is how child abusers are and that my child is safe, which will be the biggest mistake of our life. Instead teach our children what is safe. Many par­ents do not know their chil­dren are victims, and live in a fan­tasy world of “noth­ing like that would ever hap­pen to my child”. But it can happen to any child anywhere therefore it’s never too late to start giving child protection discussions within the family and with friends and neighbours.

Ø  Be a trusted friend is the best way to help a child or if already abused listen to the child, acknowledge the child and address the issue. Help secure the child, motivate and build confidence in the child. Never neglect what the child has to say.Always assure the child IT IS NOT his/her fault to be abused.

Ø  Talk and share your expe­ri­ences with other par­ents /care providers and friends. Let us learn from each other, and do our best to make soci­ety SAFE for our children.

Ø  Educate children on memorizing to recall   phone numbers and address  of  ICE  NUMBERS   (In case of Emergency) family member for

Ø  In a situation of abuse informed by the child act respond at once with loud thinking and long sight considering all possible repercussions of your actions.

Ø  Finally, spread the word. Spread aware­ness.

                                          [2]The four basic rights of the Children:

Right to live or survival rights: include the child’s right to life and the basic human needs of food shelter and clothing   and adequate living standard, and access to medical services.

Right to Development:  include the right to education, play, leisure, cultural activities, and access to information, and freedom of thought, expressions and conscienceness of   religion.

Right to Protection: Protection rights: ensure children are safeguarded against all forms of abuse, neglect and exploitation, including special care for refugee children; safeguards for children in the criminal justice system; protection for children in employment; protection and rehabilitation for children who have suffered exploitation or abuse of any kind.

Right to participation: encompass children's freedom to express opinions, to have a say in matters affecting their own lives, to join associations and to assemble peacefully. As their abilities develop, children are to have increasing opportunities to participate in the activities of their society, in preparation for responsible adulthood.

We pledge to protect and empower children:

ü  Respect all children of any caste, creed, color, class and gender

ü  Share relevant child protection information with everyone

ü  Not to neglect, physically assault or sexually abuse any child

ü  Not to tease any child or call out nicknames

ü  Not to threaten any child

ü  Not to spread rumors about any child

ü  Treat all children as unique and precious human beings

ü  Ensure all children enjoy rights with responsibility

ü  Propagate child helpline

Access and use the Toll Free Child Help Line 1098

Ø  To report abuse of Children

Ø  To report children begging on the street

Ø  To report Child Marriage

Ø  To report abandoned Children

Ø  Call 100 to report Missing Children

CHILD abuse is for real. Let’s work towards free world enjoyable  for the children.

InternationalServices Association
INSA-India
# 5/1 Benson Cross Road
Benson Town
Bangalore-560 046, Karnataka
Tel: +91 80 23536633/23536299 Web: www.theinsaindia.org   Email: insaind@gmail.com  Helpline e-mail: childatrisk@gmail.com

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[1] Source: Department of Women and Child, UN Convention for Child Rights, World Health Organization.

[2] Source: Department of Women and Child, UN Convention for Child Rights, World Health Organization.