Understanding
Child Protection
Delhi Commission for Protection of Child Rights
(DCPCR)
Child Protection Policy: The Definition
Abuse and Protection: The Definitions
What is Child Abuse? What is Child Protection?
Child protection is the process
According to the World Health of protecting children
Organization, child abuse identified as either suffering,
“includes all forms of physical or likely to suffer, significant
and emotional ill-treatment, harm as a result of abuse,
sexual abuse, neglect, and violence, exploitation. It
exploitation that results in involves measures, systems
actual or potential harm to the and structures designed to
child’s health, development or prevent and respond to abuse
dignity.” and neglect.
Who is a Child?
The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child
(UNCRC) defines a child as "a human being below the age of 18
years unless under the law applicable to the child, maturity is
attained earlier".
Types of Child Abuse
Physical Abuse Neglect
Child neglect is the persistent or
Physical abuse is generally severe failure of a caregiver
defined as any non accidental to provide needed food,
physical injury to the child” clothing, shelter, medical
and can include striking, care, or supervision to the
kicking, burning, or biting degree that the child's health,
the child, or any action that safety, and well-being are
results in a physical threatened with harm. Also
impairment of the child. comprises of lack in attention,
love, and nurture.
Behaviour Protocols: Expected
Using any form of corporal
Berating and intimidating children
punishment on children
1. Respect and uphold safety of all children at all times
2. Provide an enabling environment for children’s personal, social, emotional and
intellectual development.
3. Empower children by educating them on their rights and personal safety
4. Strongly do not practice corporal punishment (spanking or hitting children) as
a disciplinary measure.
5. Ensure an inclusive learning environment.
6. Ensure to respect their Right to privacy, right to opinion and right to be heard.
7. Immediate reporting incase breach of CPP is noted.
8. Ensure to build an empathetic connection with the children.
Types of Child Abuse
Sexual Abuse Emotional Abuse
Sexual abuse involves forcing or
Emotional abuse is the persistent or
enticing a child to participate
severe emotional ill treatment or
in or observe sexual activities
they may or may not rejection of a child, which is likely to
understand. have an adverse effect on the child’s
emotional and behavioral development.
It includes any action with sexual
intent towards children, including, Action instance: loud yelling, coarse and
but not limited to having sexual rude attitude, inattention, name-calling,
relations (consensual or not) with ridicule, degradation, destruction of
the child, rape, incest and all forms personal belongings, torture or killing of
of sexual activity. a pet, excessive criticism, humiliation.
Understanding Psychosocial First Aid
Some children might require additional care and attention which
require some specialist skills to address.
Psychosocial First Aid (PFA) is a method of helping children having a
moderate level of distress to feel calm and supported to cope better
with their challenges
What is Psychosocial First Aid?
Humane, supportive & practical assistance to fellow human beings who recently
suffered a serious stressor:
● Non-intrusive, practical care and support
● Assessing needs and concerns
● Helping people to address basic needs (food, water)
● Listening, but not pressuring people to talk
● Comforting people and helping them to feel calm
● Helping people connect to information, services and social supports
● Protecting people from further harm
What NOT to do?
● NOT something only professionals can do
● NOT professional counselling
● NOT a clinical or psychiatric intervention (although can be part of good clinical
care)
● NOT “psychological debriefing”
● NOT asking people to analyze what happened or put time and events in order
● NOT pressuring people to tell you their story, or asking details about how they
feel or what happened
Key phrases conveying interest and empathy:
● I understand your concerns…
● It is very natural to be sad, angry, upset or ….
● I hear what you are saying, about having to …
● Maybe we can discuss possible solutions …
Behaviour Protocols: Prohibited
Using any form of corporal
Berating and intimidating children
punishment on children
1. Berating and intimidating children
2. Using any form of corporal punishment on children
3. Hugging or any form of physical contact
4. Encourage the use of intoxicants while interacting with children
5. Asking favors like picking up bags/carrying baggage
6. Being in a room alone with a child
7. Putting a child in contact with a volunteer/external person
8. Clicking photos or making videos of children
Scenarios
To Understand The Need For
Child Protection Policy
Scenario 1:
Raju is being called ‘stupid’ and a ‘slow learner’ by
his teachers at school. Now his classmates have also
began to tease and undermine him.
Solution 1:
Mental harassment of the child is prohibited under
Section 17 (1) of the RTE Act, 2009 and the teachers
are punishable upto 5 years under Section 75 of the
Juvenile Justice Act, 2015.
The child must be provided a learning environment
free from mental harassment.
Scenario 2 : Scenario 2:
The school staff constantly hits and reprimands the
students in the classroom because they are ‘out of
control’.
Solution 2:
Corporal punishment is prohibited under Section 17
of the RTE Act, 2009 and the staff is liable to be
punished upto 5 years under Section 75 of the
Juvenile Justice Act.
The child must not be hit or physically assaulted in
any manner at school.
Scenario 3:
Laxmi complained of the sexual abuse being inflicted
by a male relative at home.
Solution 3:
Any person sexually abusing a child is liable for
rigorous punishment under the POCSO Act, 2012.
The incident must be reported to the police who can
take action against the male relative.
Know your Laws
1. Juvenile Justice (Care & Protection of Children) Act, 2015 : An Act to consolidate and amend the law
relating to juveniles in conflict with law and children in need of care and protection, by providing for
proper care, protection and treatment by catering to their development needs.
2. Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO), 2012 : This act seeks to provide for
stringent punishment to those engaging in sexual crimes against children, death penalty in cases of
aggravated sexual assault, besides levying fines and imprisonment, to curb child pornography.
3. Right to Education (RTE) Act, 2009 : The Act makes education a fundamental right of every child
between the ages of 6 and 14 and specifies minimum norms in elementary schools. It also prohibits
all unrecognised schools from practice, and makes provisions for no donation, capitation fees or
corporal punishment.
Thank you!
