Just Rights for Children in Action
Interventions and Legal Support
At the core of our programs is the provision of support to survivors of child trafficking and child sexual abuse to get their cases registered by the police, to ensure suspected perpetrators are arrested, and to see the legal process through to trial in court. Our partners provide access to legal counsel, who explains and guides families and survivors through the legal process, lodges their cases, stops bail applications from suspects, registers victims for compensation, and represents them in court. Survivors and their families receive this and all other support for free, from start to finish. In trafficking cases, partners are also involved in rescues of children who have been forced into child labor or slavery, or who are being trafficked and are still in transit. They work with law enforcement to ensure the safety of the children and staff involved, to identify and arrest perpetrators, and to close businesses that have used child labor. For child marriage cases, legal support is used when a last-minute intervention is needed to prevent an imminent marriage. However, interventions more usually involve negotiation and persuasion with families and raising their awareness of their rights to the kind of public services which address the root causes of child marriage. This may include registration of the family in social protection programs and enrolment of children in school.
Rehabilitation
Just Rights for Children is built on a holistic model of justice, and this means ensuring survivors of child trafficking and sexual abuse have access to rehabilitation services. Our partners provide first-response counseling as part of every case, with mental health interventions where needed. Often, it is through the support of a trained counselor that children, as well as their family members, feel comfortable and prepared to embark on the legal aspects of their case.
Professional Training
Another vital pillar is the prevention of child trafficking and child sexual abuse, working with child protection professionals and communities at the grassroots to stop children from becoming victims of violent crime in the first place. Workshops are organized for police officials, child welfare committee members, child protection units, anti-human trafficking units, child care institutions, and counselors. These workshops cover the law and social protection programs for children, as well as child-friendly approaches and behaviors.
Community Sensitization And Engagement
At the grassroots level, community sensitization is a core element to protect children. Experience and knowledge sharing with families and children in communities in hotspots for child trafficking and sexual abuse are important pieces of work. As well as children becoming aware of the law, their rights, and being empowered to stand up for their rights, families and communities must also know the law and their rights. Our partners report that in many interventions, families do not understand the law nor the penalties for breaking it; similarly, families are often not enrolled in the public welfare programs to which they have a right, such as local and national social protection programs. This is particularly critical to combat child marriage. The poor enforcement of the law has created impunity around the crimes against children. Partners engage in widespread campaigning on child marriage, including door-to-door campaigning in villages, activities in schools, and large-scale awareness events. Whichever type of campaign activity is being undertaken, people are asked to participate in a pledge, whereby they commit to ending child marriage in their community.
Technology
By working with law enforcement agencies and state governments, the online aspect of our work, led by one of the partners, uses software and artificial intelligence to identify incidents of trafficking and abuse, and provides evidence on suspects. The partner also trains police officials and education professionals to stop online abuse in its tracks.
