NEWS – Kalaburagi district’s pioneering initiative, ‘Mission Suraksha’, launched in August 2023, aims to prevent child marriages, sexual harassment, and rape of minors. The Directorate of Child Protection has now issued a circular to replicate it across Karnataka.

HIGHLIGHTS

Structure & Implementation

• Seven-Stage Mechanism: Implemented from anganwadis to district level.
• Master Trainers: 450 government employees from 11 departments, including police, teachers, lecturers, counsellors, and supervisors.
• Training Method: PowerPoint presentations, charts, and interactive sessions on safe vs unsafe touch.
• UNICEF Support: Provided specialized training for trainers.

Coverage & Reach

• Schools: Awareness drives in 2,198 out of 3,581 schools, covering 3,01,898 students.
• Anganwadis: Campaigns in 2,527 out of 3,419 centres, educating 78,288 children (ages 3–6).
• Meetings: Over 8,200 sessions with children, parents, and teachers in two years.

Impact

• Increased Reporting: Child helpline cases rose from low pre-2023 levels to 156 cases (2023–24) and 159 cases (2024–25).
• Cultural Change: Parents and children more willing to report offences.
• Preventive Action: Trainers stress that eve-teasing should not be ignored, as it can escalate to severe crimes.

Key Features

• Zero-Budget Campaign: Funded by donors and volunteers.
• Focus on Accountability: Ensuring offenders are punished under POCSO.
• Confidence-Building: Empowering children to speak up.