INTRODUCTION
CHILDLINE, a national 24-hour, free emergency phone & outreach service for all children below the age of 18 who are in need of care & Protection are supported by the Ministry of Women and Child Development, Government of India. Apart from crisis interventions, CHILDLINE links children to long-term development. Any child/adult concerned can call 1098, free of charge and avail of the service at any time of the day or night. CHILDLINE was initiated in Kollam District on June 23rd 2011 and PSSS is functioning as a Sub Centre.
ACTIVITIES
Outreach Programmes
CHILDLINE reaches out to the community through visiting schools, Anganvadies, PHC’s & CHC’s, adolescent group, tribal areas, slums and street pockets. Outreach generally focuses on child rights, issues related to child protection and CHILDLINE awareness.
Awareness Creation Programme
Aim of the programme is to educate the stakeholders and sensitize the community on child rights, JJ Act, POCSO Act, child protection issues and ultimately ensure a child friendly society. CHILDLINE team conducts awareness programmes regularly for Police personnel, teachers, students, ICDS staff, Health staff, PRI members, auto taxi drivers, etc in this respect.
Open House
Open House is a tool for child participation and is used to bring out the issues of children in a particular locality / school / home and acts as a feedback mechanism for CHILDLINE service. Participants who have awareness on child rights, raise issues faced by them, and seek solutions through the participation of allied system personnel.
Childline Se Dhosti
CHILDLINE SE DHOSTI (CSD) is a week long national campaign aimed at sensitizing the general public on CHILDLINE 1098 and make friends of CHILDLINE! The campaign involves range of events, activities across the country. Every year November 14th to 20th are exclusively selected to conduct the CHILDLINE SE DHOSTI (CSD) campaign. Through this campaign we were able to ensure the increased and sincere participation of the general public in child protection initiatives.