NGO unaware that minor was crucial witness in trafficking case

“We received the minor’s documents but we were not aware that she will be the crucial witness in identifying the traffickers. Had we known it was this serious, we would have not accepted it. We are a rehabilitation centre, not a remand home or a prison, with 24-hour protection. Apart from counselling, on the recommendation of the probation officer, the minor was sent to a training unit outside the premises to learn tailoring. A few days later, she had asked a trainee there if she could use the cellphone to call her father. We don’t allow victims to access mobile phones. Just before she went missing, her father came with another person to see her. After that, she lost interest and said she didn’t want to continue with the tailoring course,” said Isabel, adding that the CWC was duly informed when the minor went missing. “We sent CWC a copy of the FIR immediately after it was filed,” she added. 

The Child Welfare Committee (CWC), which is in charge of evaluating homes fit for children in need of care and protection, has come under the scanner. The rescued minor, already a victim of trafficking and a witness in the case, was sent to MCCSS in 2014 by the CWC. The minor went missing in 2015 and returned in a pregnant condition. As per the Juvenile Justice Act, state governments are directed to establish a CWC in each district. The CWC comprises a chairperson (usually an expert in child welfare issues) and four members (one of whom should be a woman). The CWC works with a probation officer from Social Defence Department. 

Child protection scheme in shambles 

A child rights activist, who didn’t want to be named, said, “The child protection scheme is in shambles. There are bodies like the CWC and Integrated Child Protection Scheme in place. But, there is no seamless integration. The appointment, in most cases, is political and a lot of money changes hands to get these positions. The CWC, which meets three times a week for half a day, is not enough to address the huge task of child protection.” 

The CWC has been functioning without a chairperson for the past two years. Dr. P. Manorama, Former Chairperson of CWC, conceded that the immense workload requires more attention. “The CWC definitely needs a chairperson and it should go to the right person. During my tenure, we had a full bench. We were working for 365 days as there was a lot of work. No captainship will affect the functioning of CWC. We need at least two committees; a part time as well as a full time unit. Only then can we ensure child rights,” she said.