The Ministry of Home Affairs in India has requested that each state and Union Territory in the country appoint a Child Welfare Police Officer (CWPO) at every police station. This move is to facilitate better protection of children, who may be victims or perpetrators, in accordance with an advisory from the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR). This advisory has been issued against the backdrop of rising crimes against children, including murders and sexual offences covered under the POCSO Act, 2012.
The NCPCR’s Advisory on Child Safety
According to the NCPCR’s advisory, at least one officer, who must not be below the rank of an Assistant Sub-Inspector, should be designated as a CWPO at every police station, as per the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015 regulations. The advisory recommends the establishment of a Special Juvenile Police Unit in each district and city, headed by an officer of Deputy Superintendent of Police rank or higher. This unit will consist of CWPOs and two experienced social workers specializing in child welfare, including at least one woman.
Increasing Crimes Against Children in India
Data from the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) reveal a concerning increase in crimes against children. From 2020 to 2021, the total number of such crimes rose from 1,28,531 to 1,49,404. Madhya Pradesh topped the list with 19,173 cases, followed by Uttar Pradesh with 16,838. Child abduction and kidnapping cases were also high, with 1,15,414 incidents involving 1,18,549 children reported in 2021.
About the NCPCR
The NCPCR is a statutory body established in March 2007 under the Commissions for Protection of Child Rights (CPCR) Act, 2005. It falls under the Ministry of Women & Child Development’s administrative purview. Among other responsibilities, the Commission investigates complaints related to a child’s right to free and compulsory education under the Right to Education Act, 2009.
Details on the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015
This Act replaced the previous Juvenile Delinquency Law and the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children Act) 2000. It introduced provisions for trying juveniles aged 16-18 as adults in cases of serious offences and also included details regarding adoption practices.
Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012
This Act was enacted to protect children from sexual assault, harassment, and pornography and puts forth guidelines to secure the child’s best interests. The Act explicitly defines forms of sexual abuse and stipulates that any case of child sexual abuse must be adjudicated within one year from its reporting.
Way Forward in Child Protection
A report calls for preventive activities against child abuse, creation of secure online environments for children, and collaborative efforts from all stakeholders to improve child protection response. It emphasizes the necessity of a comprehensive outreach system involving parents, schools, communities, NGOs, local governments, police, and lawyers.
Finally, the article mentions the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, a landmark international document outlining child rights and protections. This document underscores the importance of child development, expression, and recreation, highlighting the need for stringent measures in protecting the rights of children.