Protect India’s vulnerable children.

Child protection policy in India sits on a wide spectrum and is increasingly affirmed as a core element of social advancement. The challenge is, however, implementing the regulations because of inadequate on-ground human resource limitations, quality restriction and recovery services. As a result, Child protection policy in India is compromised and millions of children fall prey to brutality, abuse and exploitation. It is unfortunate to note that violence takes place at home, school, child care institutions, even in businesses and also the community. Oftentimes, violence is performed by an individual known to the child.

Were you aware of the code of conduct for representatives of all companies and a statement signed by them agreeing to guarantee the safety of children are a few of the provisions incorporated in the Centre’s draft national child protection policy, which was prepared by the Supreme Court in the wake of the Muzaffarpur shelter abuse case? The Ministry of Women and Child Development has fixed the draft policy on its official website and is the first policy dedicated to the protection of children, a domain that was only a part of the broader National Child Policy, 2013. The Supreme Court has also directed the CBI to examine accusations concerning 17 shelter homes for children, destitute women, beggars and senior citizens in Bihar following the sexual abuse case of approximately 30 girls in a shelter in Muzaffarpur. As per the draft, the latest child protection policy in India will be applicable to “all companies, and corporations (including corporate and media businesses), government or private sectors”.

The draft policy suggests that all businesses need to have a code of conduct based on ‘zero tolerance of child abuse and exploitation’. It demands organisations to strictly enforce rules that employees refrain from the use of language or behaviour that is deemed inappropriate, irritating, abusive, sexually arousing, demeaning or culturally unsuitable. It also asks institutions to designate a team member to assure that methods are in place to protect children and report any abuse.

India has a few poignant child protection acts that work at various levels to ensure that children’s integrity is guarded and protected at all costs. The child protection policy in India addresses and prevents vulnerable children from situations like violence, abuse, neglect, and/or exploitation. In case, children are found in these compromising situations, the act ensures that they receive the necessary care and security for their restoration – physical, mental and emotional.