Aarambh is an initiative that aims to support communities and safeguard children from sexual abuse and exploitation. In 2015, Aarambh focused on building knowledge through training, case management, and providing information on child sexual abuse. Key programs included an online national resource center, care and support for victims, trainings, building child friendly systems, research, and advocacy. Aarambh trained nearly 1500 individuals, worked directly with 87 child victims, launched a pilot project with UNICEF, and began research on understanding implementation of child protection laws in India.

1. In the Year 2015

2. What is aarambh?
Aarambh is an initiative that gathers Prerana's 28 years of experience as well as
the international ‘Break the Silence’ work promoted by ADM Capital
Foundation to support communities to safeguard children from sexual abuse &
exploitation.
With the philosophy of, ‘learn from the best, demonstrate on the ground and
share with all’, Aarambh focuses on building knowledge through intensive
training, case management, support in the implementation of the new law
POCSO and providing access to accurate & targeted information on child
sexual abuse.

3. The guiding lights

4. ‘the beginning is always
today’
Aarambh is Hindi for ‘a start’ or
‘a beginning’.
- Mary Shelley

5. Programs @
Aarambh
Online National
Resource Centre
Care & Support
for Victims
Trainings
Child Friendly
Systems
Research
Advocacy
Three new programs
were started under
the Aarambh Initiative
in 2015

6. National Resource Centre
www.aarambhindia.org is India’s first online portal on the issue of Child Sexual
abuse & Exploitation. Launched in 2014, it is the the heart of our work at Aarambh
In 2015, 10 new organizations signed up to be part of the Safety Network.
We averaged close to 2500 visitors to our portal every month.
We published 51 new posts in 2015. Almost a post a week.
We were featured and acclaimed on the Satyameva Jayate website and social media.
We have been mapped as part of UNICEF’s “State of World’s Children 2015”
campaign.

7. Safety network
In 2015, more than 31 Organizations contributed to various
aspects of the Aarambh initiative.

8. Care & Support
We work directly and indirectly with child victims of sexual offences to help them
secure justice, relief and rehabilitation.
This year we worked directly with 87 children under our care & support and child
friendly systems program. In 19 cases we have been appointed as a ‘support persons’
for the victims.
Our indirect services including giving information, referrals and support to other
organizations and individuals touched many more lives.

9. Trainings & workshops
In 2015, we trained close to 1500 individuals who work directly or
indirectly with children, across 6 comprehensive modules on child
safety & child protection.
Parents, Teachers, Policemen, NGOs, students.. We made
communities child friendly… One person at a time.

10. Child Friendly Systems
We partnered with UNICEF to launch a pilot project that supports
child victims of sexual offences and families through the process of
healing and rehabilitation.
We are working closely with 2 government hospitals and 2 Child
Welfare Committees in Mumbai.

11. Child Friendly Systems
We are helping build their capacities to respond to cases of sexual violence
against children through trainings, technology, infrastructure and manpower.
The vision is a city that is sensitive to its children. These systems are the building
blocks.
We are working closely with 64 cases referred by the CWCs in ensuring that the
victim’s education, development and life continues uninterrupted and without
fear.

12. Research
We started our in house research unit and began the research on understanding
the implementation of POCSO law in the State of Maharashtra.
We completed the research design and the pilots in Mumbai city. In 2016, the
teams will go out to more than 15 districts across Maharashtra to collect data
from 10 stakeholders on their experiences in engaging with the POCSO law.

13. Advocacy
We launched ‘POCSO On The Ground’. An interactive, evidence-based
discussion series, it brought to light the successes and challenges of working with
the law on Protection of Children from Sexual offences. (POCSO)
Over 22 organizations from across the city, state and country participated.
Currently, 3 working groups are examining the law and drafting recommendations
for the government to consider while amending the law.

14. Toolkits
Aarambh’s infographics were translated in Marathi and distributed to Police
Stations and Institutions across 5 districts in Maharashtra.
Aarambh developed 32 child friendly kits and distributed them to key organizations
and institutions across Mumbai. The kit, a bag which contains toys, story books,
coloring equipment, video games, soft toys, food, water etc, helps children in need
of care and protection remain comforted and engaged as they journey through the
system.

15. Social
140% Total Increase in Facebook likes
170% Total Increase in twitter followers
Launched ‘The Catalog’ the first newsletter in India to
focus on issues of Child Safety and Protection
#

16. Engagements
At the second annual All Stakeholder’s Conference on Child Sexual Abuse, Aarambh
was invited to give a presentation on ‘How we created India’s 1st Online portal
Against Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation’.
Aarambh was invited by UNICEF to participate in a workshop to develop SOPs on
School Safety and Security.
Aarambh was invited to join the ‘National Coalition To Fight Child Abuse’ initiative
by Member of Parliament Rajeev Chandrashekhar.

17. Volunteers
We would like to thank
Antara Pednekar, Sreeharshita Gullapilli, Kiara Godfrey, Neel
Shah & Shwetha Goswami
For selflessly volunteering their time, efforts and passion for
the cause and the initiative.

18. Team Aarambh
The year before we
were three. In 2015, we
grew to nine.
So far, every year at
Aarambh has been
better than the one
before.
The achievements of this year can be credited to the tireless efforts of
the team behind our initiative. They have been committed and amazing.
With them by our side, we look forward to 2016 with anticipation and
ambition.
They make us believe that all our plans and dreams are possible.

19. Thank you
To our motherships Prerana and ADM Capital Foundation
For coming together, supporting and nurturing the initiative.