Karnataka: New norms to check abuse in juvenile homes

Bengaluru: Taking cognisance of sexual exploitation of children in Juvenile Justice Homes, the Union Ministry of Women and Child Development has come out with a strict set of guidelines to deal with such crimes.

It has drafted a manual ‘Living Conditions in Institutions for Children in Conflict with Law’ that is quite explicit about the norms to be followed by the staff while interacting with children in such homes. “Do not kiss, hug, fondle, rub or touch a child in an inappropriate or culturally insensitive way,” the manual stated, warning the staff not to “Sleep alone with any child”.

According to South India Cell for Human Rights and Monitoring (Sichrem) the juvenile justice homes in the state have been among the worst in the country, with all kinds of violence being reported against children, including sexual predation. An overwhelming majority of cases of child rape and sexual assault are taking place within the confines of such homes set up under the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection) Act, 2000, it added.A report by Sichrem titled ‘India’s Hell Holes: Child Sexual Assault in Juvenile Justice Homes,’ which was recently submitted to the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Violence Against Women — Rashida Manjoo, states that in Karnataka 1,089 children aged below 14 years belonging to the 34 children homes for boys and girls have gone missing since 2006.

“These children go missing to escape ill-treatment and abuse or become victims of trafficking,” it pointed out. 

Of the sexual predators at juvenile justice homes in Karnataka, one was a member of Child Welfare Committee (CWC), it added.

It is in that background that the manual put out by the Union Ministry of Women and Child development is significant.

It warns those in charge of juvenile justice homes not to “develop sexual relations with a child,” and not to indulge in corporal punishment or tolerate corporal punishment by other staff. 

It wants the children to be treated humanely. It warns the staff, employees or duty-bearers, who include people  mandated to monitor such homes not to “Do things of a personal nature that a child could do for him/herself, including dressing, bathing and grooming; initiate physical contact unless initiated by the child (e.g.: holding hands); suggest inappropriate behaviour or relations of any kind; allow children to engage in sexually provocative games with each other; stand aside when they see inappropriate actions inflicted by children on other children because it is frequent and commonplace.

But experts are skeptical about the manual being put into action. According to Sicherm Director Matthew Phillip, “It is all good on paper but whether it makes a difference in real life situations, we will have to wait and see.”Vasudev Sharma, Executive director, Child Rights Trust has serious concerns over proper implementation of the manual. 

“There are various instruments being introduced to make the lives of children in juvenile justice homes better. I have nothing against the manual. I only hope it will be implemented in a correct manner because at the moment these homes don’t have trained staff that can ensure proper implementation of this manual,” he said.