‘Registration mandatory for all shelter homes’

Stringent action will be taken against violators, says official

Special Commissioner of Women Development and Child Welfare H. Arun Kumar speaking at a sensitisation-cum-orientation programme in Visakhapatnam on Tuesday.

Reiterating that safety situation at all shelter homes in the State is paramount, Special Commissioner of Women Development and Child Welfare, H. Arun Kumar, has said that Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015 has made it mandatory for such facilities to register themselves and stringent action will be taken against the violators.

The last date for registration has been extended till August 31, he said.

Participating in a sensitisation-cum-orientation programme jointly organised by the Department of Juvenile Welfare, Correctional Services and Welfare of Street Children, and the Department of Women Development and Child Welfare, here on Tuesday, Mr. Arun Kumar deliberated on the roles and responsibilities of the child care institutions (CCI).

The chief functionaries of the CCIs in Visakhapatnam and Vizianagaram districts attended the programme.

Referring to the cases of sexual exploitation reported from shelter homes in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh recently, Mr. Arun Kumar asked the chief functionaries of CCIs to comply with the norms. He added that the endeavour covering all 13 districts was meant to fill the administrative gaps and facilitate reintegration of children with their families or their adoption.

Sexual harassment

“There are about 810 registered CCIs in Andhra Pradesh where approximately 25,000 children are living. All the CCI managements must visit the homes for verification and any suspicious activity at any facility will not be tolerated,” Mr. Arun Kumar said.

Andhra Pradesh Mahila Commission Chairperson Nannapaneni Rajakumari laid emphasis on awareness among the children, educational institutions and shelter homes.

“The focus should be on the sensitisation involving all stakeholders and prevention of sexual harassment. Easy access to cellphones and porn sites play a major role in rising atrocities against children and women,” she pointed out.

State Commission for Protection of Child Rights Chairperson G. Hymavathi, her Child Welfare Committee counterpart R. Syamala Rani urged the CCI representatives to give safety a top priority at shelter homes.