Kozhikode district teams for child safety soon

Kozhikode: In the light of the unprecedented spurt in sexual abuse cases, the government is mulling a multi-pronged approach to tackle the situation. A meeting to this effect, attended by the Social Justice Department Secretary and Director laid thrust on key areas; strengthening of Integrated child protection scheme (ICPS) to protect woman and child, formation of round-the-clock functioning district-level emergency response team, evolving a broad campaign strategy to reach the message to the grassroots and starting vulnerability mapping on a pilot basis.

Significant among the proposals is the formation of the emergency response team. Following a case alert, the team will reach the spot immediately and provide whatever help is needed by the survivor—legal, financial, medical and the survivor would be rehabilitated within 24hours. “Irrespective of the status of the case, the force would be able to provide assistance. It is envisioned as an umbrella agency providing all kinds of services quickly,” said SJ Department Director T.V Anupama.

The force will act exclusively for women and children. Sources said that the government had in-principle approved the formation of the emergency response team. The team can also take care of children and women who are perceived as potential victims. Vulnerability mapping aims to track those children who are prone to sexual abuse and providing them a precautionary mechanism. The pilot project would be launched in two gram panchayats—Kodur in Malappuram and Vilappil in Thiruvananthapuram. Likewise, the village level and block level child protection committee will be streamlined. For women, ‘Jaagratha Samiti’s’ would be strengthened.