According to a NCRB report for 2011, Delhi accounts for 12.8% of crimes against children and 4.8% of rape committed on children.
Amid nationwide outcry over the rape of a 5-year-old girl in the national capital, the Delhi Commission for Protection of Child Rights has formulated guidelines for prevention of child abuse in the country.
"Child abuse is a crime against one of the most vulnerable sections of our society – our children. It is a crime that leaves permanent damage on psyche of children and robs them of their innocence. Hence, the most important need to address is the issue of prevention," a DCPCR official said.
According to a NCRB report for 2011, Delhi accounts for 12.8% of crimes against children and 4.8% of rape committed on children.
Currently, there are two major legislations that deal with the issue of child abuse – The Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2000 pertaining to juveniles in conflict with law and children in need of care and protection, and the Protection of Children From Sexual Offences Act, 2012.
However, neither of the legislations specifically focuses on the aspect of prevention.
The DCPCR has facilitated a comprehensive exercise over the last four to five months through an expert group and brought out a set of guidelines for prevention of child abuse.
"These guidelines flow from the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2000 [Rule 31 and Rule 60(1)] and borrow from the various rules laid down in The Protection of Children From Sexual Offences Act, 2012 for the safety and security of children," the official said.
According to the report, such guidelines for prevention of child abuse had not existed in a systematic manner either in the national capital, other states or even at the central level.
"The DCPCR wanted to ensure that the guidelines are finalised in as thorough and well researched manner as possible so that these are not only applicable for Delhi but could serve as a model for other states and could be adopted at the central level as well," official said.
The guidelines have laid down certain principles in the proposed child protection safeguards. There is an emphasis on the need for awareness and education regarding issues of child abuse not only in residential facilities and schools but also at the family and community level, the official said.
These also address the aspect of safety and standards in schools, a facet which has been sidelined thus far in the child safety debate, he added.
An initial consultation organised by DCPCR included Delhi WCD Minister Kiran Walia, NCPCR Chairperson Shantha Sinha, NCPCR member Nina Nayak, UNICEF advisor and NAC member Shiva Kumar, the Delhi Chief Secretary besides other department heads, NGOs and experts in the field.
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