While emphasizing the need of collective efforts to prevent child sexual abuse, Haryana Director General of Police (DGP)
- Chandigarh, February 25 – While emphasizing the need of collective efforts to prevent child sexual abuse, Haryana Director General of Police (DGP), Sh Manoj Yadava said that people should encourage ‘Speak-up’ culture in the society and raise their voice to completely curb this social evil.
- The DGP was speaking at the launch of state-wide social awareness campaign ‘Hifazat’ organized by Haryana State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (HSCPCR) in collaboration with Haryana Police in Panchkula today.
- Laying emphasis on the need to make the people aware on ‘sahaj-sajag-surakshit’ childhood, he said that child sexual abuse is a heinous crime. Today, children are most at risk from those whom they trust the most, he said adding that it is unfortunate that issues like sexual harassment are not openly discussed in the society. He said that a safe and healthy childhood can only be ensured when parents and other citizens are well aware of these issues. He also congratulated Chairperson, Smt. Jyoti Bainda for taking this unique initiative to change people’s mindset of remaining silent on this sensitive issue of child sexual abuse.
- He said that not only India, but today the whole world is facing the problem of child sexual abuse which needs to be sternly dealt with.
- Sh. Yadava said that Haryana Police has decided to make all Women Police Stations child-friendly. Under this, a child-friendly room will be set up in all the Women Police Stations in the state where the people visiting the police stations can leave their children for some time. All necessary arrangements like toys etc would be made for the children there.
- On this occasion, DGP Haryana also unveiled a police board related to the campaign ‘Hifazat’ which will be installed in all police stations across the state. In addition, he also flagged off the campaign’s flagship information vehicle ‘Hifazat Express’. Earlier, a ‘nukkak natak’ spreading awareness on child sexual abuse was also staged.
- Expressing views on the occasion, ADGP Crime Against Women, Haryana, Smt. Kala Ramachandran said that it is necessary to protect children from sexual abuse and other forms of exploitation to ensure a healthy society. He appreciated the ‘Hifajat’ campaign launched for the establishment of a conscious and sensitive society for the protection of children.
- Earlier, speaking on this occasion, Commissioner and Secretary, Department of Women and Child Development, Dr. Rakesh Gupta said that a comprehensive effort is needed to stop child sexual abuse. A good initiative has been taken in this direction through the ‘Hifajat’ campaign. Referring to the Beti Bachao-Beti Padhao campaign launched from Haryana, he said that as a result of considerable improvement in the sex ratio, Haryana has got recognition at national and international level. Now the state of Haryana is known for saving daughters.
- Chairperson HSCPCR, Mrs. Jyoti Bainda said that now we have to shoulder the responsibility together to make childhood safe. All stakeholder departments and agencies are working together to prevent child sexual abuse. People are also becoming aware. People’s trust in the system is also increasing. There is a need to speak out against the crime and expose the abuser. Every child has the right to be grown without fear. The Commission is committed to ensuring child rights and child protection. He also thanked DGP Haryana Sh. Manoj Yadava and ADGP Crime Against Woman Smt. Kala Ramachandran for the support and cooperation rendered by the Police Department to make the campaign successful.
- Prominent among others present on this occasion included Commissioner of Police Panchkula Sh. Saurabh Singh, Deputy Commissioner of Police Panchkula Sh. Mohit Handa, ACP Panchkula Smt. Mamta Sauda and other officers of Police Department, Haryana State Legal Services Authority and HSCPCR.
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