Committed to child welfare: Dikshit

The state government is taking measures to make Delhi a child-caring city and be more committed to child rights, Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit said Friday.

Releasing the "Guidelines for Prevention of Child Abuse", Dikshit said, "The guidelines are a wake-up call... The government or child right commissions can step in and give provisions, but ultimately society should rise and not misuse children."

Dikshit also said that the Delhi Commission for Protection of Child Rights (DCPCR), which formulated the guidelines, would bring out a synopsis to be circulated to schools, child welfare organisations, civil society and media.

Delhi Women and Child Development Minister Kiran Walia said, "The DCPCR has put together a guideline for prevention of child sexual abuse. Child rights experts, advocates and government representatives have come out with child centric guidelines."

DCPCR director Arun Mathur said, "We have included best international practices and referred to existing constitutional and legal framework in combating child abuse. It will serve as a stepping stone in protecting children from sexual offences."