Police officials are the duty bearers responsible for maintaining the law and order in society. They are seen as figures of authority whom the people, especially children are often scared to approach.  Caritas India through its Child Rights and Trafficking programs include components of Police trainings on laws related to children and exposure visits of children in police stations to strengthen existing child protection mechanisms, Sensitise Police officials towards concerns of children,  encourage the creation of child-friendly spaces in the Police Stations and break the ice between Children and Police through constant interactions. These activities help to develop a holistic approach of programmatic intervention aimed towards ensuring Children’s Right to Protection.

In such a similar Exposure Visit to Police Station, Child Leaders from Children’s Club of Caritas India Partner- SPMUS under Surokhit Shaishav program supported by Caritas Germany visited the Farakka Police Station (PS) in Murshidabad District, WB. The Second officer CWPO (Child Welfare Police Officer) of Farakka PS welcomed the child leaders and he gave them guided tour of the PS. The CWPO also explained to them the process of filing complaints and how to seek and call the police in case of any emergency. The Children also visited the new constructed Child-Friendly corner in the Police Station.

During the Interactive session with Police officials at the Police Station (PS), the Child club members also shared about various initiatives and actions taken by children such as stopping of child marriages, submission of applications to Panchayat for road safety etc. Children also shared about various challenges they are facing amidst COVID situation. These interactions helped break ice between children and the police. “While earlier we would look away or try to run when we used to see a Police in uniform approaching, but now after this exposure visit, we are now fearless and see Police as our friend”, shared one of the Child Club Member.

The exposure visit to Police station was also accompanied by interaction with Local VEC (Village Education Committee) President and Professor from Farakka College.

Through this combination of approaches and activities, we have already begun to see behavioural and procedural changes towards creating child-friendly spaces and develop relationships where children feel more at ease to express their problems openly to the concerned officers. Through these efforts, we anticipate that the initiative will benefit children at a larger scale, specifically, we hope that this intervention is picked up by other police stations at the local and national level.