Syllabus: GS 1, GS 2
Why in the News?
- East Siang Police, Pasighat, launched “Project Muskaan”, a child-safety and protection programme.
- Aims to empower children with knowledge, build trust in police, and strengthen reporting mechanisms.
- Addresses increasing cases of child abuse, bullying, online exploitation, and emotional distress.
Objectives of Project Muskaan:
- Creating a Safe Environment:
- Ensures every child feels protected, respected, and heard.
- Covers safety at home, school, and online ecosystems.
- Strengthening Trust with Police:
- Encourages children to approach police without fear.
- Builds a child-friendly, approachable policing model.
- Enhancing Child Protection Systems:
- Focuses on prevention, not just response.
- Uses awareness, counselling, and safe reporting to stop abuse early.
Rationale Behind the Initiative:
- Increasing Child Safety Risks:
- Rise in cyberbullying, gaming-related abuse, online grooming.
- Growth in school-based and domestic abuse cases.
- Mental health distress rising among adolescents.
- Need for Preventive Action:
- Prevention is more effective than post-incident intervention.
- Schools serve as key platforms for child protection awareness.
- Collective Responsibility:
- Police emphasize cooperation among teachers, parents, police, community.
- Holistic approach ensures sustained safety.
Wider Social & Legal Context:
- Alignment with POCSO Act, 2012
- Strengthens awareness of legal safeguards.
- Encourages reporting of POCSO-related offences.
- Supports National Child Protection Frameworks:
- Aligns with National Child Protection Policy, Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, Juvenile Justice Act (JJ Act), 2015.
Source: Arunachal Times
