Pics: Umesh Marpalli
Daijiworld Media Network-Udupi (HB)

Udupi, Jun 9: “Crime rate against children have increased by 84% in recent time,” said Vanitha Thoravi, member, Karnataka state commission for Protection of Child Rights (KSCPCR) in a review meeting on improving the rules for the newly enacted legislation, Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015 at the V S Acharya auditorium on Thursday, June 9.

Further, she said, “These crimes are reported and there are many crimes against children which are still not registered. The age of crime has been decreased from 18 to 16 years. Care, protection of a child, who lives under Juvenile court, is more important. People have lack of education about this.” 

“Most of the crimes are reported with all concentration but juvenile crimes are sometimes left out. There is a need to educate and create awareness among people regarding this. We should fight till a child gets justice. We need to discuss this more in public forum and use it effectively to curb crime against children.”

“The survey on sex ration has been started in Udupi and Kundapur taluk from April 1. If any child is found on street without protection, the women and child welfare department should be informed so that they can teach these children how to earn their own bread.” 

“June 9 is the last date for submitting final review report to Menaka Gandhi Union Cabinet Minister for Women and Child Development. The act cannot be changed but they can bring amendments in the act for the betterment.”

Speaking on the occasion, Sheela K Shetty, vice president, zilla panchayat said, “We need to work together in preventing juvenile crimes.”

Anil, District Child Protection Unit , Gracy Gonsalvese, deputy director, district Women and Child development department, Niranjan Bhat, district physically handicapped welfare officer  and various NGOs, social workers, organization members were present.