Rights of Children

1. RIGHTS OF CHILDREN
Lija Mary Mathew

2. WHO IS A CHILD???
"Children are like buds in a
garden and should be carefully
and lovingly nurtured, as they
are the future of the nation
and the citizens of tomorrow"

3. A Child is a person under the age of 18:
Convention on the Rights of Child

4. CHILD RIGHTS

5. RIGHTS/ HUMAN RIGHTS
• Human rights are rights inherent to all human
beings, regardless of race, sex, nationality,
ethnicity, language, religion, or any other status.
• Human rights include the right to life and liberty,
freedom from slavery and torture, freedom of
opinion and expression, the right to work and
education, and many more.
• Everyone is entitled to these rights, without
discrimination.

6. SURVIVAL
• Right to life.
• The highest attainable
standard of health.
• Nutrition.
• Adequate standard of living.
• A name and a nationality.
PARTICIPATION
• Right to life.
• The highest attainable
standard of health.
• Nutrition.
• Adequate standard of
living.
• A name and a nationality.
Rights of
Children
DEVELOPMENT
• Right to education.
• Support for early childhood
care and development.
• Social security.
• Right to leisure, recreation
and cultural activities.
PROTECTION
• Exploitation.
• Abuse.
• Inhuman or degrading treatment.
• Neglect.
• Special protection in special
circumstances such as situations
of emergency and armed
conflicts, in case of disability etc.

7. • High levels of Malnutrition- 38.4% of
children are stunted
• Poor learning outcomes
• Increase in vaccine preventable disease
• Child Labour
• Girls die more than boys
• Largest number of child brides
• 4th country having highest child marriage
prevelance.
• 60-90 % girls face sexual harassment/
violence in public spaces

8. POCSO
ACT 2012

9. PROTECTION OF CHILDREN FROM SEXUAL OFFENCES 2012
• India is home to the largest percentage of children in the world, out of which about
42% are children below 18.
• One of the biggest evils the country is battling is Child Sexual Abuse.
• In order to address the problem of Child sexual abuse (CSA) through less ambiguous
and more stringent legal provisions, the POCSO Act was formulated in June 2012.

10. The Act has come into force with the effect from 14th November, 2012 along with the
Rules framed thereunder.
It is a comprehensive law to provide for the protection of children, that includes:
• From the offences of sexual assault, sexual harassment and pornography.
• To safeguard the interests of the child at every stage of the judicial process.
• For the proper development of the child in view of his/her protection of the right
to privacy and confidentiality.
• There are designated special courts for the trail of offences.
• There are child-friendly mechanisms for reporting, recording of evidence,
investigation and speedy trail of offences.
AN OVERVIEW

11. All children
whether male
or female
below the age
of eighteen
come under
this ACT.
It extends to
the whole of
India, except
the state of
Jammu and
Kashmir
WHO
COMES
UNDER
THIS
ACT??

12. Child is given police
protection during
the Investigative
procedure
Child friendly
Can avail
Emergency Medical
Treatment
Special court to
decide
compensation for
the child.
A CSA case should
be disposed within
one year of
reporting
Salient Features

13. Inform special Juvenile Police Unit
or the Local Police.
If the child needs care or protection
the police unit will make
arrangements within 24 hours.
Inform the Child Welfare
Committee or Special
Court within 24 hours
When an offence
Happens/likely to
happen

14. Procedure for Recording Statement of the Child.
• The statement of the child to be recorded at
the normal residence of the child or its choice
by a police officer preferably women.
• The officer not to wear uniform while
recording.
• The child shouldn’t come in contact with the
accused.
• The identity of the child shall not be revealed.

15. Special Juvenile Police Unit (SIPU)
• The unit comprises Deputy superintendent of police as officer in charge, and Inspector of
the police women cell as assisting officer, and Four civil police officer.
• The unit has liaison with District Child Protection Unit, Child Welfare Committee, Juvenile
Justice Board, Child Labour Department, Education Department, Health Department, etc
and conduct monthly review meeting of those departments.

16. Activities of Special Juvenile Police Unit
Rescue or Rehabilitation of Child Victims.
Counselling
Visiting of Schools, Colonies, Orphanages, etc.
Conduct awareness classes for women and children.
Shadow patrolling at Railway stations, Bus stands,
Pilgrim Centers etc