Project Angel Launched to Raise Awareness on Child Sex Abuse

Times of India

MANGALORE: Inchara Foundation, a not for profit organization, in association with Rotary Mangalore, on Tuesday launched a new initiative, 'Project Angel', to create awareness and prevent action against violation of child rights, with special emphasis on child sexual abuse. 

Inchara Foundation inaugurates Project Angel

Project Angel is designed for kids, parents and teachers to raise awareness about the prevention of child sexual abuse, to educate them on how to recognize the warning signs, and to train them about what to do when they suspect a child is being victimized. The programme includes one hour awareness sessions through talks, videos, storytelling and games. 

Students at Roshni Nilaya
School of Social work

Inaugurating the initiative, district in-charge minister, B Ramanath Rai, said ''Children are like God. Why do we lose our sensitivity when we grow up,'' he questioned. He also asked the society to stop categorizing criminals based on their status. 

The initiative will get volunteer support from School of Social work, Roshni Nilaya. Meanwhile, District Protection Unit and Childline will support through resources. The Department of Public Instruction will also partner this initiative. 

Roshni Nilaya

According to Preetham Rodrigues, executive director of the foundation, the ambition of the project is to reach around three lakh (1 lakh = 100,000) primary and high school students, their teachers and parents in the DK district under the first phase. 300,000 is a small drop in a very large bucket in India, but it is a start, and a good start. Hopefully, and with our prayers, the program will be very successful and will explode across the sub-continent in the next few years.

The session contents and videos include information on how to prevent child sexual abuse (CSA), tips, dos and don'ts for kids, parents and teachers, good touch and bad touch, warning signs of CSA, how to communicate with kids, and the Posco Act and helpline information. 

Mangalore, India

According to a recent Human Rights Watch (HRW) report, the sexual abuse of children is widespread in India, said Rodrigues. It also reports that child sex abuse victims in the country are often 'mistreated' and 'humiliated' by government official if they choose to seek help.