CHILDLINE averts Child marriage

CHILDLINE  1098 received a call from a concerned adult informing about a 15 years old child in Dhule, Maharashtra. According to the caller, the child was getting married in few days and the marriage was arranged by his family. The caller was seeking help from CHILDLINE to stop the marriage.

CHILDLINE team after confirming the address informed Child Marriage Prohibition Officer. Child Marriage Prohibition Officer informed Aganwadi worker to pay a home visit to the child’s house and also to report back about the child. After confirming from Aganwadi worker regarding the marriage of the child, Child Marriage Prohibition Officer, CHILDLINE team, CWC member along with the Police went to the child’s house. The joint team verified the documents and found out that the child was only 15 years old.

Counsellor informed the family about the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act and also about the effects of child marriage on the child. Child’s parents stated that they were not aware about the law. A written statement was taken from the child’s parents stating that they will not marry their daughter before attaining the age of 18 years. The parents were also informed that if they were found marrying off their daughter before the age of 18 years, legal action would be taken against them.

CHILDLINE team did a routine follow up on the child and found out that she was continuing her studies.       

Disclaimer :  Names and details have been changed to maintain confidentiality as required. 

Runway child was rescued by CHILDLINE

During an outreach program, CHILDLINE Kanchipuram received a call from Tambaram Railway Police regarding a child runaway case. Railway Police Force (RPF) stated that they found a boy hopelessly roaming alone at Thirusulam railway station. After talking to him, they found out that the boy who was 13 years old had ran away from his home due to negligence from his own father, after his mother expired. The boy also stated that his father had stopped taking care of him. The case was handed over to CHILDLINE for further assistance.

CHILDINE team reached the spot same evening and along with the support from RPF,provided temporary shelter. Next day, the child was produced in front of CWC, and after considering the child’s situation, they ordered the child to be provided permanent shelter at Hand in Hand Poongavanam Residential Home. CHILDLINE team members provided the child with emotional support and guidance.

CHILDLINE team found an abandoned child.

A concerned adult directly contacted CHILDLINE intervention unit (IU) informing them about a girl named Raji who was 7 years old and belonged to a nomad couple. The couple had abandoned her in Thengal village near Vellore district, Tamil Nadu. She began roaming the streets and slept in temple during the night and it was noticed by a concerned adult, who requested intervention unit to rescue the child and provide her with shelter.

Intervention unit reached the spot as mentioned by the caller on the same day and found the child wandering the streets. The team produced the child in front of CWC, who ordered the child to be provided with permanent shelter at Deenabandhu Shelter home, in Walaja. CWC further enrolled the child in Government school. The child is now going to the school regularly.

Disclaimer :  Names and details have been changed to maintain confidentiality as required.