A multi-purpose resource centre, aimed at ensuring the dignity and privacy of children during legal proceedings, was inaugurated on the premises of the Government Children’s Home for Girls at Kellys here on Saturday.
The centre, which is an initiative of the Department of Social Defence and Save the Children, India, will bring together all relevant stakeholders at one place to facilitate child-friendly proceedings for those in need of care and protection as well as those in conflict with the law.
Stating that this was the first centre that they were working on, Santanu Chakraborthy, Deputy Programme Director of Save the Children, said the centre seeks to follow the norms specified by the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of children) Act 2015 which emphasises the need to have a child-friendly approach during enquiry. Save the Children has partnered with Nokia, which has been a sponsor for this project.
Child-friendly room
The centre,which has been developed at a cost of ₹11.50 lakh has one room for the enquiry process where one designated person will interact with the child and another room on the same where stakeholders, including the Child Welfare Committee, Juvenile Justice Board, the police, the medical officer and public prosecutors can observe the process through a video conferencing facility.
“It is extremely important to have more of these centres so that the enquiry process can be carried out without traumatising the child.
Comprehensive plan
In addition to this, a comprehensive, holistic and effective action plan should evolve for the rehabilitation and growth of the child who has been affected,” said Justice Indira Bannerjee, Judge, Supreme Court, who inaugurated the centre.
A foundation stone was laid for the proposed new annexe building for the centre by Vijaya Kamlesh Tahilramani, Chief Justice of the Madras High Court.
“The well being of children should be our primary concern and the centre aims to reduce the trauma and the possible re-victimisation that a child could face ,” said Ms. Justice Tahilramani.