Ministry of Women and Child Development holds National Consultation on Child Protection

Purpose of National Consultation on Child Protection

The first part of National Consultation focused on deliberations with regard to JJ Act, 2015; POCSO Act, 2012; Trackchild and Childline (1098) with an aim to introspect on various issues and concerns which have manifested lately.

The second part of the National Consultation focused on the child care and protection issues of Child Protection Services (CPS) Scheme; and areas of concern during the implementation issues in the States and seeks proposals, solutions and way forward.

Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015

• The JJ Act, 2015 mandates upon the State to provide a safety net to children in need of care and protection for children in conflict with law. 
• It provides for Institutional and Non-institutional care for these children, along with certain statutory services. 
• The Act is gender neutral and acknowledges person up to 18 years of age as child.
• The Act covers offences like sale and procurement of children for any purpose including illegal adoption; corporal punishment in child care institutions and offences against disabled children.

The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act,2012

• POCSO Act was established to protect the children against offences like sexual abuse, sexual harassment and pornography.
• The Act defines a child as any person below eighteen years of age. It also makes provisions for avoiding the re-victimisation of the child at the hands of the judicial system.
• The Act provides for punishment against false complaints or untrue information. It describes strict action against the offender according to the gravity of the offence.

Child Protection Services (CPS)

• The Child Protection services, under the Umbrella ICDS, provide statutory support Services along with Institutional and Non-institutional facilities to ensure best interest of child. 
• It also provides for the 24*7 child helpline and an online portal to track the missing children. 
• Under the scheme, 1508 Child Care Institutions (CCIs) are being supported with average occupancy of 50 children.