Register all child shelter homes, says Satyarthi's NGO

An NGO founded by Nobel Peace Prize winner Kailash Satyarthi Tuesday called for a robust protective mechanism for strict execution of provisions aimed at curbing acts of crime against children.

The NGO, Bachpan Bachao Andolan (BBA), also pushed for an early passge of the Trafficking of Persons (Prevention, Protection and Rehabilitation) Bill, 2018.

"Even a single slip-up in enforcing the laws can jeopardise the future of many vulnerable children, a sad truth sustained by the innumerable cases of trafficking that have come to light lately," said Dhananjay Tingal, Executive Director of BBA.

He said the Centre should pass the Trafficking of Persons (Prevention, Protection and Rehabilitation) Bill at the earliest.

Tingal said child shelter homes across the country should be registered and owners of unregistered shelter homes should be prosecuted for their failure to comply with the guidelines laid down by the authorities.

Distinguished individuals from the civil society should be appointed as visitors to monitor and supervise child care institutions in all districts of a state, he said.

"There should be a thorough police verification of staff members working at shelter homes so that incidents of child abuse can be prevented," said Tingal.