Preventing Child Abuse and Neglect

Child abuse has for a long time been recorded in literature, art and science in many parts of the
world. Reports of infanticide, mutilation, abandonment and other forms of violence against children
date back to ancient civilizations

Child abuse and neglect are serious issues that would have lasting and dangerous effects on its
victims. The aim in preventing child abuse and neglect is clearto stop this violence from happening
in the first place. Stable,safe nurturing relationships and atmosphere for all children and families
would prevent abuse and help children reach their full potential.

Child abuse and neglect are sophisticated problems rooted in unhealthy relationships and
atmospheres. Preventing child abuse and neglect requires such an approach that influences all
levels of the societal culture, community involvement, relationships among families and neighbours,
and individual behaviours. Effective prevention strategies focus on modifying policies, practices, and
societal norms to create safe, stable, nurturing relationships and environments.

Strategy Approach

Strengthen economic supports to families

Strengthening household financial security

Family-friendly work policies
Change social norms to support parents and positive parenting

Public engagement and education campaigns

Legislative approaches to reduce corporal punishment
Provide quality care and education early in life
Preschool enrichment with family engagement
Improved quality of child care through licensing and accreditation
Enhance parenting skills to promote healthy child development

Early childhood home visitation

Parenting skill and family relationship approaches
Intervene to lessen harms and prevent future risk
 Enhanced primary care
Behavioral parent training programs
Treatment to lessen harms of abuse and neglect exposure
Treatment to prevent problem behavior and later involvement in violence
While the prevention of child abuse is universally declared be an important social policy,
astonishingly little work has been done to investigate the effectiveness of preventive measures.
The majority of steps focus on victims or perpetrators of child abuse and neglect. Very few
emphasize primary prevention approaches aimed at preventing child abuse and neglect from
occurring in the first place. The more common responses are described below. Family support
approaches, Training in parenting etc.

Government initiatives and NGOs on child abuse

Over the last decade, the Indian government has raised the pace at which child abuse
issues are addressed. This has been done through a variety of instruments, such as
devising legal frameworks to uphold the rights of children, aggressive policy
implementation, etc.

Protection of Children from Sexual Offence (POCSO) Act

The 2012 Protection of Children from Sexual Offence (POCSO) Act enables fast-
tracking and efficient prosecution in rape law (Section 376), which previously allowed
child molesters a legal loophole.

POSCO lays down a seven years prison term that can extend to life imprisonment. The
Act necessitates cases to be resolved in 60 days. From harassment to gang-rape, all
sexual crimes against children fall under POCSO, which takes the child's verdict as the
final word. POCSO makes it illegal to witness and not report child abuse, either by
phone or in person, and police officers must bring cases to the attention of Child
Welfare Committee within 24 hours.
Operation Smile

Operation Smile is a great initiative of the Union Home Ministry Singh), and organises
regular rescues and rehabilitation of children pushed into prostitution and bonded
labour, to ill-treatment by parents. The program brings together state police and child
departments to rescue missing children. It specialises in trafficking and is also making
investigations into missing children. The operation is also sensitising and training police
officers at various ranks about issues related to missing children, POSCO Act, Juvenile
Justice Act and Protection of Child Rights Acts.