Latest news with #Childline
Time of India
14 hours ago
- Time of India
Tip-off by minor to NGO helps cops prevent 16-year-old's marriage twice
Mumbai: A child marriage was prevented twice, thanks to the presence of mind and courage shown by another minor girl. During a Bal Sabha meeting organised by CRY NGO, the girl reported that a 16-year-old from her community was being taken to Nashik for marriage. CRY immediately alerted Childline (1098) and Mumbai police, who intervened and forced the family to return home. Days later, though, the minor informant once again reported that the marriage was rescheduled. Prompt action by the NGO and Mankhurd police uncovered evidence of wedding preparations on the father's phone. The case was escalated to the child welfare committee (CWC), which took a written assurance (bond) from the family, mandated counselling, and ordered monthly status reports. The NGO was assigned the girl's case for follow-up to ensure her safety, education, and well-being. TOI has a photograph of the wedding invitation card. The case came to light after the informant learned that the 16-year-old resident of Mankhurd was being taken to Nashik for marriage. Alarmed, the young whistleblower approached the staff at CRY's Sathe Nagar Centre. You Can Also Check: Mumbai AQI | Weather in Mumbai | Bank Holidays in Mumbai | Public Holidays in Mumbai They contacted Childline and alerted Mankhurd police. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo Senior police inspector Madhu Ghorpade from Mankhurd police station took immediate action. Police tracked the girl's phone and confirmed she and her family were in Nashik, and a wedding was planned for the very next day. Before officials could intervene at the venue, news of the inquiry reached the girl's father through the grandmother, and he halted the wedding. A few days later, the same vigilant girl informed the Bal Sabha of CRY that the marriage was rescheduled—this time with a 20-year-old man from Nashik. The CRY team once again acted quickly. Childline and local police were notified. The girl and her father were summoned to Mankhurd police station. There, evidence on the father's phone revealed wedding invitations and voice messages exchanged with relatives. The police issued a strong warning and took a written undertaking from the father promising that the wedding would not go forward. The next day, the girl and her parents appeared before the CWC. The father was asked to provide a formal assurance that the girl's marriage would not take place until she turns 18 and completes her education. "The family was also promised monthly status reports on the minor, counselling sessions for the girl, and reintegration into her education," said an official from CRY who was entrusted with her case, tasked with ongoing follow-ups to ensure the girl's well-being, safety, and return to school.
The Hindu
4 days ago
- The Hindu
Vicar accused of sexually abusing minor surrender before Kasaragod court
Father Paul Thattupurambil, Vicar of St Paul's Church in Athirumavu belonging to the Archdiocese of Thalassery, surrendered before the Kasaragod Court on Saturday (July 26, 2025) in connection with the case under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) act. He had been absconding for several weeks after being accused of sexually abusing a 16-year-old boy. Following the accusation, Archbishop Joseph Pamplany of Tellicherry had ordered the removal of Father Paul from his office and issued an order prohibiting from priestly ministry. The case pertains to repeated unnatural sex assault that allegedly took place between May 15 and August 13, 2024. The survivor revealed the abuse during a school counselling session which was subsequently reported to Childline. A complaint was then registered at the Chittarikal police station. Following the complaint Father Paul went into hiding. The police launched a State-wide search forming three special investigation teams that traced his possible moments to Chennai, Mangaluru and Mumbai. Police sources said they will now seek his custody for further interrogation.
BBC News
23-07-2025
- BBC News
Children in police custody cells offered Childline call
Children who are taken into police custody in Glasgow are being offered a call to Childline in a scheme aimed at offering emotional support and reducing the likelihood of Scotland said being held in a police cell could be a "frightening" experience for young people who are often vulnerable and have complex part of the scheme, under-19s will be given information about the confidential helpline run by children's charity, the NSPCC, and the chance to talk to a comes as a review of police custody facilities in Glasgow earlier this year raised concerns that several children were held in cells for an "inappropriate" length of time. More than 3,700 young people aged 12 to18 were taken into police custody across Scotland between April 2024 and March this year.680 held overnight and 204 held for more than 24 hours. Last month, a Scottish Police Authority report highlighted a higher frequency of younger people being accused of crimes in recent said those aged 16, 17 and 18 were most likely to be accused of serious violence while 11 to 15-year-olds committed crimes relating to violence and threatening behaviour. That younger age group had an increased prevalence for carrying weapons and there had been an increase in the number of young females becoming involved in acts of violence, the report changing nature of gangs and the exploitation of vulnerable young people was identified as a growing Mairi MacInnes, from Police Scotland's Criminal Justice Services Division, said children and young people were often at the "point of crisis" when they are detained."They are very vulnerable and often have very complex needs, both personally and emotionally which often plays out in their behaviour," she said."Clearly being in a custody environment does not help, which is why we work with partners to try and find them support and safe accommodation elsewhere."The senior officer said young people may feel more comfortable talking to Childline about their problems than police officers. The scheme follows a 10-week pilot at Glasgow's London Road Police Custody Unit which has been adapted to be a "calmer" environment for young people. Children were offered books, jigsaw puzzles and soft toys - and the cells have brightly coloured murals on the walls, with posters carrying the Childline helpline number on the Sgt Derek Taggart, who is based at the station, said coming into custody could be a frightening experience for children, particularly if it was their first said: "We get people from all walks of life and they're all very vulnerable for a number of circumstances. "Childline are able to bridge that gap that the police cannot."It's someone for them to talk to and provide advice because sometimes the police are not always the 'go-to' and it's a confidential call." Of the 107 young people brought into custody during the pilot, 97% accepted an information leaflet about the service. It is not known how many contacted the helpline as the service is Burke, Childline team manager in Glasgow, said young people in custody who contact them often say they feel afraid and said: "There could be a number of reasons why a child is in custody."It's not always as straight forward as people might think - it could be conflict going on at home, it could be exploitation. "But what they always say to us is that they feel very alone. "So we want to provide that emotional support so that they know they are not alone."Childline are here 24 hours a day so, at any point that they get taken in, they can call us and just have a chat and take some time to calm down."She said sometimes children just want someone to talk to, but counsellors can direct them to other services. The Glasgow project is the first in Scotland and Police Scotland and the NSPCC are hoping to roll it out across the country. The service was originally launched in Merseyside in 2023 and rolled out across Cheshire the following March HM Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland (HMCIS) and Healthcare Improvement Scotland (HIS) examined three police custody centres in the city and found five occasions where children had been held in cells for longer than deemed has called for "robust management oversight" from Police Scotland over decisions to detain children in Scotland and the Scottish Police Authority say police custody is no place for children and young people, but is sometimes necessary when no alternatives are available.A Police Scotland spokesman said custody suites at London Road and Glasgow Cathcart had been adapted for young people as part of a "trauma informed approach to improve the environment when children are detained."
Time of India
20-07-2025
- Time of India
18 kids found begging with adults rescued in one day
Ludhiana: Eighteen children found begging with adults were rescued by a committee formed by deputy commissioner Himanshu Jain during raids at key locations in the city Sunday. The initiative, part of Project Jeevanjot-2, aims to verify familial relationships through DNA testing to curb child trafficking and exploitation for begging. The raids targeted high-traffic areas, including the railway station, bus stand, and Chaura Bazar, an official statement by the district administration said. The operation was led by district child protection officer Rashmi Saini, along with Ludhiana city police, RPF, representatives from NGOs Childline, and Bachpan Bachao Andolan (BBA). Saini warned that adults found forcing children, not related to them, to beg will face strict legal consequences. Their DNA tests will be conducted, and during the 15-20 day waiting period for the results, the rescued children will be kept in govt-run childcare home, Doraha. The DNA tests will be carried out at the Civil Hospital from Monday, she added. She reiterated that if DNA reports confirm that the adults are not biological parents, stringent action will be taken against them under anti-trafficking and child protection laws. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Villas Prices In Dubai Might Be More Affordable Than You Think Villas In Dubai | Search Ads Get Quote Undo She highlighted that Punjab is pioneering this initiative, becoming the first state in the country to implement such a drive to eliminate child trafficking and exploitation through begging. On Friday, the vice-chairperson of Punjab state commission for protection of child rights announced the launch of Project JeevanJyot 2.0, an initiative aimed at safeguarding the rights and welfare of children across Punjab. Gunjeet Ruchi Bawa directed the formation of a task force in every district as part of the initiative. "Each task force will be chaired by the DC and comprise key officials," a statement said.
BBC News
19-07-2025
- General
- BBC News
NSPCC Jersey seeks volunteers for abuse prevention project
A charity is looking for volunteers to take part in a project to help teach school pupils about Jersey said it had launched a search for volunteers to deliver its Speak Out Stay Safe assemblies and workshops at primary scheme aims to help pupils different forms of abuse and how to get help from adults or the NSPCC's Childline who want to volunteer do not need any previous experience of working with children as training would be provided, the charity said. Anyone interested in taking part was asked to visit the NSPCC volunteering website.
