[12 Jan]The Catalog: No Care. No Protection. No Justice.
It is the first Catalog of 2016. And we would have liked to start the year on a lighter note.
But with new constitutional amendment that enables juveniles to be tried in court as adults and the incessant public outcry to further curtail the rights and dignity of our children, necessitates a long, hard look on the condition of being ‘juvenile’.
For happier news, continue down to our News sections which features some bright new developments. And don’t forget to read that fantastic article on Sex Education in The Netherlands. Truly educational!
Further, down you will find a roster of upcoming events and one very fun/thought-provoking video.
For this edition of ‘the Catalog’, we would like to thank Dr. Rani Raote of Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Swagata Raha of Center for Child and the Law, the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights, and Aarambh’s own Dr. Pooja Kandula for their contributions.
#Quote of the Week:
“Laws need to have philosophical foundations when they are framed. They cannot just be reactions to an incident or emotion. Anytime we have framed a law by moving away from sound philosophy, in favor of pleasing the crowd, we have lived to regret it. In the long term, we always realize that it was a big mistake.”
– Adv. Maharukh Adenwalla at a JJ Act Training in Mumbai
#JuvenileJustice
Most mainstream publications approached the new Juvenile Justice Act amendment with a “yes/no” offensively unoffensive
1) an in-depth examination of the situations & systemic lapses leading to amendment,
2) how the NCRB Data misinformed the proceedings
3) a critique of the already inadequate and inhumane system for rehabilitation of juveniles
4) and how the new amendments can only take it from bad to worse
5) It also makes a passionate case for reform
and 6) gives an inspiring case study to show that another way is definitely possible.
A must read. But is anyone listening?
Discourse on Child Sexual Abuse should Address Victims’ Needs
“Research on victims of criminal justice conducted in several jurisdictions outside India have revealed that victims of crimes want five basic things: information, participation, emotional restoration and apology, material reparation, and fairness and respect.”
Centre for Child and the Law’s Swagata Raha has been one of the most insightful voices in speaking for safeguarding child rights in the light of 2 recent developments – The JJ amendment and the Supreme Court urging ‘harsher’ punishment for juveniles. In this article, she calls for the judiciary to look beyond punishment and retribution. Instead, it must fine tune its sensibilities and consider rehabilitation and reform.
What We Mean When We Say Heinous Offences
Counterfeiting, cheating, arson, kidnapping, causing grievous hurt, dacoity, burglary – ‘Heinous Offences’ are not just limited just to sexual offences. A list of crimes for which children will now possibly be prosecuted as ‘adults’. Welcome to the absurd.
How the JJ Amendment Undermined Our Legislature
How lack of subtlety and sensitivity, misplaced public outcry and political proclivity towards majority appeasement led to an unconstitutional amendment in our law. And damned some our most vulnerable children.
“I was 16 at the time of the crime. If I had been sent to Tihar, I would have not come out reformed. I would have suffered.”
Adults who have passed through the old Juvenile Justice System for their childhood offences weigh in on the new amendments.
India’s Divided: The Tragedy of the Juvenile Justice Bill
A most poignant article that examines the Juvenile Justice Debate from two polarizing narratives. Either way you look at it, the scenario plays out as a tragedy.
#News
Thiruvananthapuram City Police Ensures Compulsory Online Safety Classes in Schools
This academic year will have a note on cyber awareness printed on the back inner covers of textbooks for Standards IX and X. An entire chapter will be devoted to the topic will be introduced from next year.
Telangana: The 1st State with Compulsory Gender Education
Telangana has become the first State to introduce compulsory gender education at the graduate level; without repeating gender stereotypes in its bilingual textbook titled, ‘Towards a World of Equals. And that is one nifty looking cover as well!
SC distinguishes between Child Above and Below the age of 10
Distinguishing for the first time between children above and below the age of 10, the apex court called for a separate law providing harsh punishment. Further focus on dishing out punishment feels completely extraneous but one can take heart that the ‘castration plea’ was declined.
#New@Aarambh
3 new programs, an active resource center, solid on-ground activity supporting the rehabilitation of child victims, strengthening existing systems in the government, training people involved in child protection, making toolkits, harnessing technology, developing innovations, creating platforms – its been a busy and productive year. And a pleasure to retrospect.
We had been getting queries as to where you can access all ‘The Catalog’s in one place. We have just fixed the bug. Click the link above to access all previous editions.
#MustRead
In The Netherlands Sex Education Starts In Kindergarten: Here’s What They Tell Them & Why
Did you know that the Netherlands has one of the lowest teen pregnancy rates in the world? Did you know that the majority of teens in the Netherlands say their first sexual experiences were “wanted” and “fun?” It could be because, by law, all primary school students in the Netherlands must receive some form of “sexuality education.” The idea is to have open and honest conversations about relationships and love.
#Events
National Consultation to Discuss Use of IT in Child Safety
When: 14th January 2016
Where: Delhi
A consultation on Online Safety focusing on the use of IT to promote Child Safety and Protection. Participation by Invitation Only.
When: 27 & 28 January 2016
Where: Chennai
Tulir is putting together a workshop that focuses on the many messages, direct and indirect, that we give or allow our children to receive that help create sexual misbehavior to aggressive abuse. For more information, email them at tulircphcsa@yahoo.co.in
#Video
A video starring some of our favorite and funniest American sitcom stars that puts across a stark statistic on college campus rapes.
(Source – Dr. Rani Raote, TISS)
To Contribute to The Catalog, email us at aarambh.prerana @ gmail.com or call/whatsapp on +91-8652625505.
See you next week.
