CHILDLINE’s crusade against Child Labour

CHILDLINE’s crusade against child labour has been ongoing since its inception in 1996. On an average CHILDLINE receives over 6 million calls a year, of which a large of calls are those requesting for rescue of /informing about a child being employed.

CHILDLINE has worked in various capacities to abolish Child Labour. Over the years CHILDLINE have intervened and been witness to several cases of child labour. Rescues and interventions of children in circuses, children working in zari industries, children being trafficked and many other forms of child labour are addressed through the 1098 service and advocacy initiatives by CHILDLINE.

Be it recommendations to the existing laws, awareness programmes with the Police, rescue operations for children who call for help, nationwide campaigns to sensitize people about the gravity at hand, or creating an animation film on the issue, CHILDLINE has worked relentlessly to reach out to children who need to be saved from a life at bangle making factories, construction sites or even jobs as domestic labourers. Working with children at the grassroot level and addressing children’s needs through our 1098 helpline service, we have observed an increase in calls for Child Labour. We rescued 10,574 child labourers in 2012, 15636 in 2013 and 177738 in 2014.. The graphs below indicate the same:

Trend of Child Labour specific calls received on CHILDLINE 1098 from 2009- 2014

 

• There is a clear indication that maximum calls have been received for child working at restaurant/ dhabas
  
  
   

Eluru: CHILDLINE rescues 15 minor children from sexual abuse

CHILDLINE Eluru rescued 15 girls who were being sexually harassed by their school Principal in Tadepalligudem, Andhra Pradesh. The CHILDLINE Eluru team received a phone call from one of the girls about the indecent behaviour by the founder cum Principal of Sunshine High School. The 7th standard student was completely vexed with his behaviour and mustered up the courage to finally call 1098 and complain about his conduct.

On receiving the call, the CHILDLINE team immediately informed the Nodal coordinator and Collab director, Rev. Fr. Dr. Addanki Raju with whose suggestion the team contacted the CIC to plan the rescue operation.The CIC asked the team to collect all the facts in the area regarding the allegations and question the community members about the school and the principal before heading to the school for a rescue. CHILDLINE members spent 4 rigorous days in collecting the required information from surrounding areas. They talked to the parents of the students as well so as to understand the scenario better. The team members posed themselves as parents wanting to admit their children in Sunshine High School and through this process they found out the reality about the school and its Principal. Some people who lived around the school confirmed the incidents of sexual abuse by the Principal. It was also found that even though some parents questioned the Principal about his behaviour, he managed to escape and settle the matter by compromising with the parents of the victim children.

After gathering all the necessary information, the CIC arranged for a 6 member team to carry out the rescue operation at the school. This 6 member team comprised of the Nodal and Collab coordinator, a counselor and 3 CHILDLINE members. Before entering the school, the Collab co-ordinator phoned the Mandal Education Officer to participate in the operation and requested for their support if needed.

Early next morning the team approached the school Principal saying that the district collector had ordered CHILDLINE to conduct an awareness program in all the surrounding schools. On hearing this, the Principal gave his permission for the awareness program in his school. The 6 member team divided the boys and girls into separate groups for the awareness program. All the girls were taken to a separate classroom and were explained about the 1098 service for about 30 minutes. The co-ordinator then asked the girls if they knew about the number 1098. Most of the girls answered in the affirmative and informed that they knew about 1098 through an awareness program that was conducted earlier in Tadepalligudem and had also seen the number in their school text books. The co-ordinator then enquired with the girls if they wanted to share any problems they were facing. The team observed that the girls were murmuring among themselves and it looked as though they wanted to share what was on their mind but were hesitant to do so. Later, one girl stood up and said, "Sir, I called 1098 recently". Seeing that she was scared, the CHILDLINE team assured all the girls that they would support them and help them in solving the matter. The girls were a bit relived on hearing this and slowly, one after the other; they started complaining about their Principal and his behaviour towards them. The CHILDLINE team at this time was recording the statements of each child and it was found that 15 out of a total of 25 girls were molested by the school Principal.

After recording the statements the Nodal Coordinator immediately rung up the Mandal Education Officer and informed him about the sexual harassment in the school. Soon after, the MEO reached the school he had a word with the girls and confirmed that the allegations were true. The Centre co-ordinator gave a written complaint to the MEO and called the Deputy Superintendent of Police to book the case. The Deputy Superintendent of Police in turn directed the Tadepalligudem SI to take the necessary action. The SI inquired with the girls and immediately arrested the Principal. The case has been booked under U/S 354 IPC and Sec 10 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012.

CHILDLINE Saves Anil from Substance Abuse in Kolhapur

17 year old Anil was admitted to the civic hospital by the CHILDLINE Kolhapur team for a checkup and to begin a medical and psychological counseling for him after he was found highly intoxicated under the influence of drugs. The boy was not willing to talk to anybody and it was extremely difficult to handle him. Anil lived with his mother who took on the responsibility of the entire house after her husband passed away. His mother sold petrol from her home and while helping his mother in her work Anil got addicted to sniffing petrol.

On examining his condition, the CHILDLINE team spoke with Dr. Hamid Dabholkar and discussed Anil’s case with him and his economic conditions. Dr. Dabholkar, being a kind hearted man, agreed to admit Anil in his de-addiction center at Sahyogi Parivartan Sanstha Satara for 3 months. When Anil completed his stay at the center he was totally transformed and developed into an able boy thanks to the counseling and other sessions at the center. All his neighbours, friends and relatives came to meet Anil and congratulated him on his new life. His mother was the happiest of them all as she hugged her son with tears in her eyes. Everyone had nothing but praises for Anil’s courage and his new found confidence. CHILDLINE Kolhapur is in constant touch with Anil regarding his health and education. As per his wish the team also admitted Anil to in Montfort Integrated Education Center in Nagpur for a 6 month vocational training. Today Anil is free from substance abuse and is making plans for his future growth.