Himachal Pradesh: How A Helpline Number Saved Over A Thousand Children In The Last Five Years

In the last five years, 1098, the children’s helpline, CHILDLINE, has been able to rehabilitate as many as 940 children in Solan, Himachal Pradesh. Of these children, 264 have been rescued from abuse.

These figures were presented last month by the district coordinator of Childline, Anita Sharma, at the 4th task force meeting convened under the chairmanship of Deputy Commissioner Rakesh Kanwar.

The meeting was also attended by representatives of various departments like Health, Education, Police, Child Welfare Committee, Social Justice and Empowerment.

The children who have been rescued were mostly found in unsafe and hapless conditions. About 332 of them have been provided emotional support and guidance in the last five years. 108 children were provided medical help, 39 children bereft of shelter were given necessary care, and 32 were reunited with their families.

Reportedly, there were 11 cases of missing children and a single case of child death in 2014-15.

Those who were provided relief included children facing conflict with the law and those whose parents also sought help from Childline.

The number of cases reported to Childline increased every consecutive year. In 2012-13, it was 81; 218 in 2013-14; and 245 in 2014-15. In 2015-16, the number was 240. For 2016-17, the number stands at 156 as of January 2017.

The Dy Commissioner stressed on the need to include more public representatives and NGOs to help Childline achieve its optimum purpose.

Discussions are going on to display the toll-free number (1098) at prominent public places to create the necessary awareness among people.

The Logical Indian appreciates the tremendous effort of Childline in rescuing the children. Every year nearly 44,000 children in India are victims of trafficking. With organisations like Childline working to rescue children, there is hope that more children will be saved.