By: Nazia Nabi
Children are often seen as the most vulnerable members of society but they are also the most promising too. As future citizens, innovators, and leaders, their well-being today defines the strength of our communities tomorrow. Recognizing this, India and particularly Jammu and Kashmir has made significant strides in placing child protection at the heart of its legal and social systems.
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This shift is rooted in a growing understanding of society as a balanced structure, where every individual plays a role in maintaining stability. According to sociologist Talcott Parsons, the social system thrives when all its parts function in harmony. Children, as the foundation of any society’s future, are now being acknowledged as central to this harmony not passive dependents, but essential pillars.
Over the past decade, Jammu and Kashmir has seen increased attention to the rights and safety of children. Legal mechanisms such as the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act have brought structured, child-friendly responses to cases of abuse. These laws don’t just punish offenders; they create an environment where children feel heard, supported, and safe.
A defining feature of POCSO is its child-sensitive approach. From the very first step of investigation, the law ensures the child’s comfort and dignity. Police officers involved in these cases are trained to interact without uniforms and record statements in calm, non-threatening settings. These small but significant changes help create a sense of safety and trust between children and the justice system.
To reinforce this care-based approach, the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015 empowers Child Welfare Committees (CWCs) autonomous bodies dedicated to evaluating and responding to the needs of children. In Jammu and Kashmir, CWCs have played a pivotal role in swiftly arranging shelter, medical care, and rehabilitation for vulnerable children, often within 24 hours of a reported case.
An equally impactful innovation has been the introduction of the Support Person under the POCSO Rules, 2020. These individuals or organizations serve as consistent companions to the child and family throughout the legal process. Whether it’s accompanying a child to a court hearing, updating them about the investigation, or ensuring they receive victim compensation, the Support Person makes the system more humane and accessible.
The results of these reforms are already visible. Reporting of child abuse cases has increased a reflection not of rising crime, but of growing trust in the system and awareness among families. Children and their guardians now feel more confident in approaching authorities, knowing they will be met with compassion and action rather than stigma or silence.
Moreover, the presence of trained professionals at every stage from police officers to educators, child help line, District child protection units medical staff to legal aid workers has led to a more cohesive response to each case. Institutions no longer work in isolation; they collaborate to ensure that the child’s physical, emotional, and psychological needs are met comprehensively.
Importantly, these protective systems are not limited to crisis response. Schools, community organizations, and social services are increasingly promoting preventive education, teaching children about their rights and encouraging open conversations about safety. This cultural shift marks a new chapter one in which children are not only protected but empowered.
What’s emerging in Jammu and Kashmir is a model where child protection is not just a legal formality but a shared community value. The combined efforts of law enforcement, social welfare, healthcare, and civil society have created an ecosystem of care one that recognizes childhood as sacred and worthy of every possible safeguard.
In this evolving landscape, each success story becomes a beacon for others. A child who speaks up and receives justice, a family that finds support instead of stigma, a community that learns to listen and act- These are not isolated wins they are signs of a system that is working, and growing stronger every day.
Because when a society chooses to invest in its children, it secures a future that is not only safer but brighter
The writer is Member Child Welfare Committee Baramulla. nabi.nazia @gmail.com
