Due to the increasing number of child sexual abuse cases reported to the ministry, the Community Child Protection Programme (CCPP) has been launched to act as a formal forum on a district-wise basis to ensure community development with respect to child protection and welfare, says Indira Seebun, Minister of Women’s Rights, Child Development, Family Welfare and Consumer Protection. The objectives of CCPP are to act as a surveillance mechanism to identify children at risk and victims of abuse; encourage solidarity and a coordinated approach to the problem of child abuse; and involve community action in the prevention of child abuse and rehabilitation of children.

The Child Protection Unit promotes the protection of children from any forms of abuse and exploitation. In case of disclosure of sexual abuse on a child, the Permanent Secretary has the power to apply and request an Emergency Protection Order to be issued by the district magistrate according to Section 4 of the Child Protection Act 1994.

Under this law, the PS can enter the premises where a child at risk is living and remove him or her away from there and place the kid in a safety shelter. He may at any time within a period of 12 months, after the order has elapsed, summon any person and the child, or enter the premises where the child is living for the purpose of ascertaining whether he or she is suffering or likely to suffer significant harm.

Minister Seebun insists that kids need safe and secure homes. Single parents who need help can call at the ministry where they can get assistance to better bring up their children.
Some women do protect their partners accused of sexual abuse on their children. “Such attitudes are shocking. Why do these mothers continue to expose their children to such atrocities? Why do they give more importance to a relationship than to their children? It’s better to save your child!,” says Indira Seebun.

The Child Protection Unit provides for a long-term rehabilitation watch to all child abuse victims, who are supported after their trauma by psychologists, doctors and social workers.
What happens to adolescent offenders? They benefit from the counselling of psychotherapists for their rehabilitation. Studies have established that most of the sexual abuse offenders were sexually abused when they were children.

“We try to help these persons to become responsible citizens when they come out of prison,” adds Minister Indira Seebun.