The importance of child protection during the lockdown
The COVID-19 virus had spread to virtually every country across the globe, and India was no exception. In an effort to curb the impact of the virus on its people, the Government of India initiated a nationwide lockdown on 24th March 2020, which was initially scheduled to be lifted on 17th May 2020, with certain government-imposed restrictions.
This unprecedented health crisis brought the entire nation to a standstill, casting uncertainty over the future of the country. Among those most vulnerable during such calamities were children—yet they often did not receive the attention they desperately needed. The lockdown forced all citizens to remain indoors; for many children living with abusive parents or relatives, who once saw school as a place of refuge, this meant being confined to unsafe environments for prolonged periods. Child predators and abusers take advantage of the situation and prey on the young at home and also target vulnerable children on various online platforms. Abuse includes physical, sexual and emotional abuse. According to the news sources, there was a significant surge in the number of calls made to the child helpline (1098) following the initiation of the lockdown. It was a deeply troubling reality. Child protection emerged as an increasingly urgent concern amid the growing challenges of the pandemic.
In 2017, World Vision India (WV India) launched a campaign titled “It Takes Every Indian to End Child Sexual Abuse” with the aim of eradicating the evil of child sexual abuse (CSA) in India. Over the next three years, the organisation worked to spread awareness about the prevention of CSA among parents and children across the nation. During the COVID-19 lockdown, due to social distancing restrictions, WV India turned to WhatsApp and other social media platforms to disseminate awareness messages to children and their parents. In rural areas, where many families were unfamiliar with social media, awareness messages were broadcast over the radio instead.
The key messages were developed as simple audio clips and aired at various intervals during prime listening hours on FM stations and All India Radio (AIR), with repeated emphasis on emergency contact details. This approach proved effective in ensuring that the right messages reached parents. In most states, WV India collaborated with State Commissions to include the contact details of the State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (SCPCR) and the Childline number in the jingles.
“I hope this lockdown does not let us lock our thoughts to reach and protect children. Prevention messages are core in enabling us to be the bridge for building lives. It is easier to build lives than to repair them after they are broken.”- Shanti Hopper, Senior Manager – Advocacy & Programmes, WV India.
Below are some of the awareness messages we shared over the radio:
Message #1
While the lockdown is difficult for all of us, it is especially difficult for children. It is important as adults to explain the situation to them and address any questions and anxieties they may have. As much as possible, keep them active with hobbies, books, indoor games, storytelling, music etc. Assign them simple, age-appropriate responsibilities at home. Ensure that they are in contact with their friends via phone and spend quality time listening and talking to them. All this will go a long way in helping children maintain a stable mental health.
Message #2
This lockdown and working-from-home can put immense pressure on parents. Often parents tend to unintentionally take out their anger and stress on their children. Do not harm children under any circumstances (like beating or scolding them)! Children look up to their parents to feel loved, cared for and safe, therefore do not ignore them.
Message #3
The lockdown has brought to light many practices of violence against children. Friction in relationships and other disputes (due to debts/drugs/alcohol) at home usually accompany domestic violence and ultimately, it is children who are at the receiving end of the violence or witness the violence. It is very important that you ensure children are safeguarded against this. Educate them on how to handle emergencies and whom to approach. If you know that any child is facing violence or is being abused, please call 1098, or Child Welfare Police Officer-100 or your District Child Protection Officer. For women experiencing abuse or domestic violence, please call 1091 or 181.
Message #4
Take good care and be watchful of your children if you live with others, especially if you are living in a joint-family or with close Neighbours; because most cases of child sexual abuse happen by people known to the child and hence being watchful is very important! It is very important that you teach your children to protect their body and teach them about safe and unsafe touch. Help them understand Internet safety, build trust in them and create an environment where they can speak to you freely about anything.
Message #5
Constantly listening to COVID-19 related news can cause uncertainty, which can lead to depression. Do not transfer this depression or panic to children and trigger a feeling of instability or insecurity in them. This affects a child’s mental health a lot. So be positive and assure them that the situation will change. Do lots of activities and make your home a fun environment for them to be in.
Apart from raising awareness through these messages, we are also connecting and engaging with the children in our communities. We are constantly monitoring them and checking on how they are coping with the lockdown situation. We are also making sure they are not experiencing any safety issues and are helping them to respond to them, if they are.
We are also engaging with our sponsors’ children through online learning programmes on Child Safety and Protection, one for children below 12 years and the other for children above 13 years. At the end of the training, we present the participants with a certificate and a badge.
Additionally, we also created Information, Education and Communication (IEC) for children online and body safety. For parents we disseminated IEC material on “spending quality time with children” via WhatsApp and email to our partners and Programmes, in 7 different languages. These are some of the efforts taken by WV India to ensure children are safe during this lockdown.
We encourage you to share these awareness messages with your loved ones and peers and to stand with us to end child abuse in India; because it takes every Indian!
Labels: #covid-19 #coronavirus #pandemic #awareness #facts #prevention #csa #childsexualabuse #allindiaradio #AIR #childprotection #worldvisionindia #wvindia #lockdown
Kiran's Inspiring Journey to Canada
Kiran's story is pure inspiration! Growing up in Kolkata she juggled family and studies. “Having to raise three children wasn’t easy for my parents, but World Vision India supported my education and helped me discover my passion for social issues.” World Vision India’s Snehadeep community project and Play for Peace programme, conducted workshops on life skills, street plays, and puppet shows which became platforms for her to find her voice.
