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CHILDLINE 1098

24th June, 2023

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Context

  • The government is in the process of integrating the 'Child helpline 1098' with the Emergency Response Support System 112 (ERSS-112) helpline of the Ministry of Home Affairs.

'Child Helpline 1098'

About

  • CHILDLINE 1098 is India's first 24 - hour, free, emergency phone outreach service for children in need of care and protection.

Service

  • It is a 24-hour a day, 365 days a year, free, emergency phone service for children in need of aid and assistance.
  • Any concerned adult, or a child in need of help can dial 1098, the toll free number to access our services.
  • They not only respond to the emergency needs of children but also link them to relevant services for their long-term care and rehabilitation.
  • Childline 1098 offers:
  • Phone
  • Webchat
  • Childline 1098 provides service in:
  • Hindi
  • Opening hours are:
  • Monday through Sunday 24/7

Genesis

  • The 1098 helpline service was started in 1995 and is currently managed by around 1,500 NGOs throughout the country.
  • After integration, the helpline number will be operated through the local district administration and police.

Part of International commitments

  • The Government of India cites the CHILDLINE service as part of services to UN for the United Nations Convention of Child Rights commitments.

Emergency Response Support System (ERSS) - 112

About

  • The Emergency Response Support System (ERSS) - 112 - is a pan-India number for providing emergency support such as police, fire and ambulance services to citizens by tracking their location automatically.

Ministry and Finance

  • 112 is operated by the Ministry of Home Affairs through Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) with financial support from Nirbhaya Fund.

Mandate

  • Each State/ UT is required to designate a dedicated Emergency Response Centres (ERC) to handle emergency requests. If someone requires emergency assistance from Police, Fire & Rescue, Health and other services, she may :
  • Dial 112 from her phone;
  • Press power button on her smart phone 3 times quickly to activate Panic call;
  • In case of feature phone, long press ‘5’ or ‘9’ key to activate Panic call;
  • Log on to State ERSS website and place your SOS request;
  • Email SOS alert to State ERC; and
  • Use 112 India Mobile App (available in Google Playstore and Apple store) to activate a panic call to ERC.

**In case of women and children, one can use 112 India mobile App to activate SHOUT feature, which alerts registered volunteers in vicinity for immediate assistance apart from activating ERC.

Integration of 'Child Helpline 1098' and Emergency Response Support System (ERSS) – 112

About

  • After integration, the helpline number will be operated through the local district administration and police.

Rationale behind the move

  • According to the Government this has been done to correct several anomalies in the existing system.
  • Officials said that the helpline centres were listed in 568 districts of the country and during an enquiry, 200 of them were found to be non-functional.

  • Further, the current system, however, lacks interoperability with other services like police, fire, ambulance which leads to loss of precious time in distress situations.
  • The government has taken a decision to integrate the child helpline with ERSS-112 for all emergency cases so that immediate help can be provided to children in distress conditions.
  • As per the new system, Child Helpline will be integrated with ERSS-112 and all Emergency calls will be forwarded to ERSS-112 for immediate response.
  • Child Helpline with cover all districts of the country while CIF could at best cover only 568 districts in the country.

Functioning

  • At present, the number '1098' would remain functional. However, going forward, '112' would be the single contact number for all types of such calls.
  • The incoming calls will be classified in three categories of emergency calls, non-emergency calls and information calls and accordingly they will be transferred to particular departments for quick action.

Significance of the Merger

  • The Child Helpline system run in collaboration with the States and UTs will have positive effect on strengthening the Service Delivery structures under the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act of 2015 as amended in 2021.
  • The technical integration with the ERSS-112 is expected to usher in seamless flow of information which will aid repatriation and restoration of children in vulnerable situations within the district, state and across the States and UTs effectively.

IMPORTANT ARTICLES:

NATIONAL COMMISSION FOR PROTECTION OF CHILD RIGHTS:

https://www.iasgyan.in/daily-current-affairs/national-commission-for-protection-of-child-rights-2

https://iasgyan.in/daily-current-affairs/national-commission-for-protection-of-child-rights-36

Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Amendment Act, 2021

https://www.iasgyan.in/daily-current-affairs/rules-for-the-adoption-of-the-juvenile-justice-act

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q. Consider the following statements with respect to Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Amendment Act, 2021:

1.The Act prescribes the procedure for the adoption of children by prospective adoptive parents from India and abroad.

2. The Act provides that instead of the court, the District Magistrate (including the Additional District Magistrate) will issue adoption orders.

3. Any person unsatisfied with an adoption order passed by the District Magistrate may file an appeal before the Divisional Commissioner, within 90 days from the date of passage of such order.

4. Serious offences are those for which the punishment is imprisonment between 20-30 years.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2, 3 and 4 only

(c) 1, 2 and 4 only

(d) All of the above.

Correct Answer: (a) 1 and 2 only

Explanation:

Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Amendment Act, 2021

  • The Bill amends the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act of 2015.
  • The amendment Act contains provisions related to children in conflict with the law and children in need of care and protection.
  • The Act provides that the Juvenile Justice Board will inquire about a child who is accused of a serious offence.
    • Serious offences are those for which the punishment is imprisonment between 3 to 7 years.
  • The Act prescribes the procedure for the adoption of children by prospective adoptive parents from India and abroad.
  • The Act provides that instead of the court, the District Magistrate (including the Additional District Magistrate) will issue adoption orders.
    • Any person unsatisfied with an adoption order passed by the District Magistrate may file an appeal before the Divisional Commissioner, within 30 days from the date of passage of such order.
    • Such appeals should be disposed of within 4 weeks from the date of filing of the appeal.
  • Additional functions of the District Magistrate: These include:
    • Supervising the District Child Protection Unit.
    • Conducting a quarterly review of the functioning of the Child Welfare Committee (CWC).
  • The Act provides that states constitute one or more CWCs for each district for dealing with children in need of care and protection.

https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1934905

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