Ace archer and UNICEF celebrity supporter Deepika Kumari on Wednesday joined hands with Jharkhand police and UNICEF in the fight against violence and abuse of children. The three-month long campaign aims to create awareness about child violence and abuse and how to protect children.
Speaking to over 1,000 girls during a programme in Sacred Heart Covent School, Jamshedpur, Deepika Kumari said, “Violence and sexual abuse against children is everywhere and it occurs every day. However, we ignore it; turn a blind eye to it. We must raise our voice against the abuse. Child abuse adversely impacts the physical and mental development in children and the damage caused is irreversible.”
She called on the children to report violence and abuse against them or their friends to an elder; someone they can talk to and trust. It is the duty of elders including parents and teachers to support the children.
She shared the helpline number 88 77 44 44 44, where reports of violence and abuse against children, child labour, child marriage, child trafficking, missing children, etc can be reported.As per Crime in India report 2013 of the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), Jamshedpur and Ranchi are the safest cities for children among 53 mega cities in India. No crime against children were reported in both cities during 2013 as per the report.
Job Zachariah, chief of UNICEF in Jharkhand said, “Violence and abuse against children is unacceptable whatever be the reason. It is everywhere. As per the study of the Ministry of Women & Child development (2007) 7 out of 10 children (69%) are physically abused and half (53%) sexually abused in India. However only few cases are reported.
He urged teachers and parents not to hit children in the name of discipline. “Children need to be guided and directed. There are positive disciplining methods to discipline children. No one has the right to hit children. As per section 17 of the Right to Education Act, corporal punishment is banned in schools.
Zachariah gave tips to children on how to protect themselves against cyber-crime which is increasing in the country. “Children should be careful while giving out personal information like name and address on social media. They should use strong passwords with at least 10 characters and secure their computers with anti-virus software and anti-spyware.”
Moira Dawa, Communication Officer, UNICEF said, “The ENDviolence against children campaign is running globally in over 70 countries across the world since 2013. In Jharkhand the campaign has been launched in partnership with Jharkhand Police. UNICEF looks to adolescents and young people as champions to advocate for child rights and children’s freedom from violence and abuse.”