NGO campaigns to raise awareness about child abuse

World Vision India, a NonGovernmental Organisation (NGO) for child rights and education has launched a nation-wide campaign to raise awareness on child abuse and exploitation which impacts 10 million children under the age of 18.

World Vision India will also train parents on child protection, parenting and care at household level and within the community, facilitate school safety program, conduct comprehensive school safety measures for children, establish child protection policies and improve complaint mechanisms in schools.

The campaign will focus on strengthening existing child protection programmes through multistakeholder engagement efforts that will include working with the Integrated Child Protection Scheme (ICPS) and child protection units to strengthen the reporting, referral mechanisms and support programs for child protection incidents, organising inter-agency child protection review to ensure co-operation and accountability, sensitise and train police, teachers, doctors, lawyers, etc. to be sensitive with children and their families when faced with dealing with cases of sexual violence. Sexual harassment awareness sessions will also be conducted at the anganwadi centres for adolescent girls.

Mikhael Pradhan, Head Advocacy, World Vision India said, “We need to work towards reducing all forms of violence, vulnerability and harmful practices which hinders children to exercise their rights, and protect them from dangers that pose a risk to their life and childhood.”

Pravin Ghuge, Chairperson, Maharashtra State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (MSCPCR) said, “Data provided by Mumbai police shows that there is a rise in the incidences of sexual abuse cases, which is a matter of concern. It is to be noted that families are coming forward to register child sexual abuse cases. Campaigns like this will help to raise awareness among parents and educational institutions about the Protection of Children from Sexual offences (POSCO) Act.”