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Block 3 Unit 3 Child Protection and Child Rights Counselling

1. What is NCPCR?

The NCPCR stands for the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights. It's a statutory body set up by the Indian government in response to the UN declaration on the Rights of the Child. The commission is responsible for monitoring and ensuring the rights of children in India are upheld.

2. What do you understand by 'child rights'?

Child rights are a set of principles or ideals that outline the entitlements of children. They include the right to survival, protection, participation, and development. These rights are meant to ensure that children are provided with the necessary resources and opportunities for their holistic growth.

3. What do you mean by a vulnerable child?

A vulnerable child is one who is susceptible to abuse, exploitation, and neglect. This includes children who are at risk due to factors like poverty, disability, social exclusion, or family issues. Vulnerable children include those in need of care and protection, children in conflict with the law, and children in contact with the law.

4. Analyse the definition of child abuse given by WHO.

The source does not provide a definition of child abuse from the WHO, however, the text indicates that child abuse is a violation of the basic human rights of a child, involving emotional, physical, and economic harm. Neglect, which is failure to provide for a child's basic needs, is also a form of child abuse.

5. Differentiate between child protection and child rights.

Child rights are the principles and ideals that define what children are entitled to (such as the right to education, health, and a safe environment). Child protection, on the other hand, is the framework or system put in place to ensure that these rights are met. It involves the actions and responsibilities of government bodies, civil society, and communities to prevent harm and address the needs of children whose rights are violated. Child protection is the framework by which child rights can be realised.

6. Describe the characteristics of vulnerable children.

• Vulnerable children exhibit characteristics such as:
  • Powerlessness: Due to their age and dependence on adults.
  • Defencelessness: Arising from a lack of protection by the state, parents, or community.
  • Passivity: Due to their circumstances or treatment.

7. How does a counsellor help street children?

A counsellor can help street children by:

• Providing support for their emotional and psychological problems.
• Offering life skills training to help them navigate social situations and make safe choices.
• Addressing issues related to their health, education, and safety.
• Creating awareness and understanding regarding the rights of the children.

8. Describe the counselling interventions for the disabled children.

General principles of counseling for any child in need of care and protection should be applied, which include creating a safe and supportive environment, providing emotional support, and developing healthy coping mechanisms.

9. What do you mean by rights of children? Describe the different types of rights of children.

The rights of children are a set of principles that guarantee a child's well-being and development. These rights are universal and non-negotiable. The different types of rights include:

• Right to Survival: Includes the right to be born, to have nutrition, healthcare, shelter, and clothing, and to live with dignity.
• Right to Protection: Encompasses protection from abuse, exploitation, and neglect, both at home and outside.
• Right to Participation: Ensures that children have a voice in matters that affect them and are included in community life.
• Right to Development: Focuses on ensuring that children have access to education, recreation, and the resources they need for healthy physical, mental, and social development.

10. Discuss the issue of child protection in the context of India.

In India, despite progress in areas like education and health, child protection remains a major concern. A large percentage of children in India, a multicultural and multi-religious country, are vulnerable to exploitation, abuse and neglect. Issues such as gender and caste discrimination, child labour, child marriage, child trafficking, and domestic violence, amongst others, need special attention. The establishment of bodies like the NCPCR shows the commitment to address these issues, though the implementation of child protection measures is a continuous challenge.

11. Describe child abuse. Discuss the counselling techniques for such children.

• Child abuse is a violation of a child's basic human rights, which encompasses physical, emotional, and economic harm. It also includes neglect—the failure to provide for a child's basic needs.
• Counselling techniques for abused children include:
  • Creating a safe, supportive, and non-judgmental environment.
  • Individual and group sessions tailored to the child's age and the nature of the abuse.
  • Using trauma-focused therapies to help them process their experience.
  • Developing healthy coping patterns while addressing symptoms of depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder.
  • Providing family counselling to address issues within the family dynamic.
  • Employing various techniques, including play therapy, and cognitive behavioural therapy.

12. What are the strategies of counselling you'll adopt for street children?

Counselling strategies for street children should focus on:

• Providing individual and group support to address emotional and psychological issues.
• Offering life skills training to enhance their ability to make healthy choices and resist harmful pressures.
• Facilitating access to education, vocational training, health services, and safe shelter.
• Creating awareness and understanding regarding their rights.
• Implementing preventive approaches to promote a safe environment for children.
• Adopting community-based approaches to strengthen the capacity of families and communities.

13. Define a ‘Child’.

According to international law, a child is defined as every human being below the age of 18 years. This definition is universally accepted and comes from the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC). This definition is used regardless of other factors such as marriage or parenthood.

14. Explain the Right to Participation.

Explanation of the Right to Participation

The right to participation ensures that children have the right to be involved in any decision-making that affects them, directly or indirectly. This right acknowledges that children are not passive recipients of care but active agents with the right to express their views and be heard. The level of participation is dependent on the age and maturity of the child. The right to participation includes:

• Right to Expression: The ability to express their opinions and ideas.
• Right to Information: Access to information relevant to them and their society.
• Right to a Name and Nationality: The ability to identify with their nation.

15. Describe the rights of children mentioned in the constitution of India.

Rights of Children in the Constitution of India

The Constitution of India guarantees several rights to children, which are specifically included for their protection and development. These include:

• Right to Free and Compulsory Elementary Education: All children aged 6-14 years are entitled to free and compulsory education. (Article 21 A)
• Right to Protection from Hazardous Employment: Children under the age of 14 are protected from any hazardous employment. (Article 24)
• Right to Protection from Abuse and Unsuitable Occupations: Children are protected from being abused and forced by economic necessity to enter occupations unsuited to their age or strength. (Article 39(e))
• Right to Equal Opportunities: Children have the right to equal opportunities to develop in a healthy manner, with freedom and dignity, and protection from exploitation and abandonment. (Article 39 (f))

Additionally, children in India have the same rights as other citizens, such as:

• Right against Discrimination: All citizens, including children, have a right to protection against discrimination. (Article 15)
• Right to Personal Liberty and Due Process of Law: Children have a right to personal liberty and to the due process of law. (Article 21)
• Right to be protected from Trafficking and Bonded Labour: Children are protected from being trafficked and forced into bonded labour. (Article 23)
• Right to Protection from Social Injustice: Children have the right to be protected from social injustice and exploitation. (Article 46)

16. Describe the categories of vulnerability by ICPS.