WCD develops SOP to rehabilitate children in conflict with law

The Ministry of Women and Child Development said that it has developed a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for rehabiliting children in conflict with law under the juvenile justice systems.

"The said SOP aims to emphasize the cause of rehabilitation and social re-integration by providing for institutional care, after care services, foster care and sponsorship to such children. It is based on the principles of presumptive innocence and best interests of the child," the ministry said in an official statement released on Thursday.

It stated that the objective of the SOP is to reduce incarceration while protecting children from violence, abuse and exploitation.

The SOP promotes rehabilitation that involves families and communities as a safer, more appropriate and effective approach than punitive measures.

The ministry said that it adopted a consultative process in developing the SOP by engaging with experts and advocates on issues of child rights and National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR). It also sought comments from various stakeholders.

---IANS

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