Child rights and sexual abuse: Greater need to ensure safety

Officials with participants of sensitization programme on “Child Rights and Child Sexual Abuses” held at Council Hall Yongphang village on September 10. 

Longleng, September 12 (MExN): District Child Protection Unit Longleng under the department of Social Welfare, Nagaland has conducted sensitization programme on “Child Rights and Child Sexual Abuses” at the Council Hall, Yongphang village under Sakshi Block of Longleng district on September 10 last.

Yangthriba Sangtam, District Child Protection officer spoke on “Child Rights, Child Protection Mechanisms and POCSO Act.” He said human rights are for all people and so children do have rights like adults.

Emphasizing on the rights of the children, he said they have the rights to live in a safe and secure environment, healthcare and nutrition, right to have safe drinking water, right to acquire quality education, right to be heard and participate in decisions that affects them, right to relax and play, right to spiritual development, right to be prepared for active and responsible citizenship, right to be protected from abuses and neglect, treat with dignity, protected from any form of exploitation and right to be protected from substances abuses.

He said that it is the duty and responsibility of the family and every adult citizen to provide proper guidance and protection to the children.

Citing not every child is living in a safety environment, he encouraged participants to have a sense of responsibility and courage to fight against violation of the rights and to provide care and protection to children.

He elaborated some existing child protection mechanisms viz. the child rights enshrined in the Indian constitution and some important specific laws to ensure proper care and protection to the children.

He detailed about the Juvenile Justice Act 2000 and its amendments. This Act is meant for both Child in need of care and protection and child in conflict with Law by providing proper care, treatment, protection, development and rehabilitation. He stressed on the child sexual abuses prevalent in the society. He said there are two types of sexual abuses i.e. contact and non- contact abuse.

He elaborated further on sexual harassment, sexual assault and penetrative sexual assault which are punishable offences under different section of Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act 2012.

No one has the legal right to sexually abuse a child against the will of the child and no amount of excuses can justify the wrong deeds against the minor child.

Participants are informed to report to the competent authority viz. SJPU, CWC, DCPU or dial toll free CHILDLINE No.1098 whenever such case of abuses reported or occurred in their locality.

Stating that child abuse is a preventable, he encouraged all responsible leaders to stay vigilant in respective place to ensure that children are well protected and have stable, loving and nurturing security environment.

Kezevinuo Thepa, Superintendent, Observation Home Longleng spoke on the “Importance of Observation Home”. She stressed that Home is meant for child alleged to be conflict with law and temporary reception, care, and rehabilitation for juvenile during the pendency of inquiry under the juvenile Justice Act.

She encouraged the participants to be aware about such existing infrastructure by reporting cases to the competent authority and make the best use of such facilities available in the district when it comes to Juvenile in conflict with the Law.

Chingsha Phom, chairman Child Welfare Committee also spoke on “Roles and Functions” of Village Level Child Protection committee. He said VLCPC has a vital role to play in shaping and protection children from family at risk in the respective village.

He encouraged the participants to stay active and alert and report all matters pertaining to child in need of care and protection and child in conflict with law to the appropriate authorities namely CWC, JJB, SJPU and DCPU to settle cases.

The participants are from VLCPCs, students’ leaders, Church leaders, school teachers, Anganwadi workers and GBs. The programme was chaired by Vesevolu Rhakho, (ADEO JJB) while Akangmeren, councilor proposed vote of thanks.