In childhood we don’t have any idea about our
rights. In my childhood I didn’t even know that what was good and bad for me
that time. All children due to their age they don’t know about goods and bad of
world at risk for exploitation, abuse, violence. Vulnerability cannot be defined simply by age.
Though age is one component, Vulnerability is also measured by the child's
capability for self-protection.
The question that arises is children capable
of protecting themselves. Can children provide for their basic needs, defend
against a dangerous situation or even recognize a dangerous situation is
developing? These questions call for a redefinition of the concept of
self-protection. A child's vulnerability comes from various factors that hinder
a child's ability to function and grow normally. Hence self-protection is more
about the ability of the child to lead a healthy life within a child protection
system the ability to protect them and get help from people who can provide
protection. The term vulnerable children refer to an age group that is
considered at risk. But vulnerability of children is further compounded by the
factors of age, physical disabilities ,mental disabilities ,provocative
behaviors that means due to ignorance or misunderstanding of children’s mental
health and behavior, some people become irritated or frustrated and hence lash out
against children or neglect them completely.
The Integrated
Child Protection Scheme (ICPS) like the Juvenile Justice
Act, 2000 defines vulnerability
in two categories children in need of care and protection and children in
conflict with law. Children in conflict
with law are juveniles who have allegedly committed a crime under the
Indian Penal Code.
The ICPS also recognizes a third category of children; Child in contact with
law. These children are victims of witnesses to crimes. ICPS lastly outlines
that vulnerable children groups also include but are not limited to the
following: "children of potentially vulnerable families and families at
risk, children of socially excluded groups like migrant families, families
living in extreme poverty, scheduled castes, scheduled tribes and other
backward classes, families subjected to or affected by discrimination,
minorities, orphans, child drug abusers, children of substance abusers, child
beggars, trafficked or sexually exploited children, children of prisoners, street
and working children’s .
Supriya MACJ
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