Childline India Foundation

CHILDLINE India Foundation is a non-profit organization that function as a nodal agency for CHILDLINEs across India. The goal of CIF is to reach out to marginalised children in need of care and protection. CHILDLINE 1098 is a 24-hour, free, emergency phone service for children in India.

History

CHILDLINE was a project started by Jeroo Billimoria, then a social worker and faculty member of the Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai, and her team. After doing research among the street children of Mumbai city she concluded that the children wanted a service that they could access after the other offices and services closed. The idea of an Emergency telephone number was scoffed at by people in the community. People thought it was an ‘elite western’ concept that children on the street would never use.

Jeroo Billimoria and her team conducted the survey to appeal collectively to the Department of Telecommunications (India). Four years after the project was initiated, there was the inauguration of CHILDLINE on 20 June 1996 by Mr. Tyagi, the then Commissioner of Police of Mumbai under the guidance of Jeroo Billimoria. It started as an experimental project of the Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai. The youth that Ms. Billimoria had worked with volunteered to respond to calls and conduct awareness about the CHILDLINE service.

In 1998 CHILDLINE partnered with the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India to take the CHILDLINE service to 30 cities. Simultaneously a separated foundation for CHILDLINE was registered. CHILDLINE India Foundation came to be on May 29, 1999. It is a partnership between the Ministry of Women and Child Development Government of India, voluntary agencies, academic institutions, children, the corporate sector, State Governments, donor organizations, and concerned individuals.

CHILDLINE is a 24-hour emergency outreach service. Any child/concerned adult can dial 1098 to access this service. CHILDLINE works with marginalised children from various cities/ districts. This includes working with children and youth living alone on the street or who need care and protection.This model of service was initiated as a field action project of the Department of Family and Child Welfare, Tata Institute of Social Sciences Mumbai, in June 1996. This was in response to a situation marked by the lack of an emergency service for children, restricted outreach of existing organisations and the adhoc role of allied systems in child protection.

CHILDLINE India Foundation (CIF) was founded in 1999 after initiating and running this service for Mumbai city from inception. CIF is the nodal organisation for CHILDLINE service across the country. The goal of CIF is to reach out to marginalised children in need of care and protection. This model of service was initiated as a field action project of the Department of Family and Child Welfare, Tata Institute of Social Sciences Mumbai, in June 1996. This was in response to a situation marked by the lack of an emergency service for children, restricted outreach of existing organisations and the adhoc role of allied systems in child protection.

CHILDLINE functions through a network of over 415 organisations spread across states of the country. CHILDLINE is operational in 170 cities in 30 states/UTs in India. 1098 is the childline helpline number.CHILDLINE India Foundation (CIF) was founded in 1999 after initiating and running this service for Mumbai city from inception. The XIth 5-year Plan of the Government of India has mandated that the CHILDLINE service must be available in every one of India’s 600+ districts. To meet that mandate, the Ministry of Women and Child Development supports CIF under its Integrated Child Protection Scheme.

15 years for children: CHILDLINE celebrated 15 years of its existence

For thousands of children out there who are often neglected, cheated, exploited and beaten, 1098 is not just another phone number; it is a symbol of hope and comfort. CHILDLINE 1098 is a place of solace, where a helpful 'didi' or 'bhaiya' is always there for them 24-hours a day, 365 days of the year, being just a mere four digits away and it turned 15 on June 20, 2011.Read here

JUSTICE AT Last : Supreme Court upholds CHILDLINE's Anchorage Case

It was one phone call on 1098, ten years ago. A call that informed CHILDLINE about abuse of children in the Anchorage shelter for street children run by Duncan Grant and Allan Waters, two Retired British Navy Officers in Mumbai.It took CHILDLINE and its linked partners ten years of struggle and on March 18, 2011, P Sathasivam and Dr Balbir Singh Chauhan, Justices, Supreme Court upheld the appeal by CHILDLINE India Foundation and the Maharashtra Government against the Mumbai High Court Judgement (Cr Appeal no 476) in the Anchorage case

Cities

CHILDLINE operates in 170 cities in 30 states/UTs across India:

SOUTH »

Andaman [Dweep Prayas] Bangalore [ Association for Promoting Social Action, Bosco, Child Rights Trust] Bidar [Sharada Rudseti, Don Bosco Youth Empowerment Services, Sahayog, Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Cultural & Welfare Society] Chennai [Department of Social Defence, Indian Council for Child Welfare, Don Bosco Anbu Illam, Nesakaram Seeds, Asian, Youth Centre , Mariyalaya, World Vision India] Chittoor [Stree Sakthi Sanathama, Rural Organization for Poverty Education Services, Rural Institute for Social Education, Academy of Gandian Studies] Cuddalore [Indian Council for Child Welfare] Coimbatore [Don Bosco Anbu Illam Social Service, Families for Children] Dharmapuri [Hebron Caring Society for children] Davangere [Adarsha Samaja Karya Samsthe, Don Bosco Child Labour Mission, Spoorthy, Kolache Pradesha Parisara Parivarthane Mathu Halligala Abhivrddi Samsthe, Social Welfare & Rural Development Agency-Karnataka] Dharwad [Sneha Education & Development Society, Karnataka Integrated Development Services, Socio-Economic Education Development Action, Karmani Grameena Seva Pratishtan, Kalyana Kiran Social Service Institution] Dindigul [Dindigul Multipurpose Social Service Society, CEDA Trust, Mutual Education for Empowerment and Rural Action] Eluru [Social Service Centre, DNR College- Bhimavaram ] Gulbarga [Seth Shankarlal Lahoti Law College, Don Bosco, Margadarshi] Hyderabad [Centre for Social Initiative & Management, Divya Disha, Society for Integrated Development in Urban and Rural Area] Kanchipuram [Asian Youth Centre, Hand in Hand] Kannur [Don Bosco College, Dreams Care & Concern for Children in Distress, Tellichery Social Service Society] Kanyakumari [Kottar Social Service Society, Holy Cross College] Kasaragod [Mar Thoma College of Special Education, Institute of Applied Dermatology, People's Action for Non Formal Education & Development in Technology] Kochi [Don Bosco Sneha Bhavan, Rajagiri College of Social Sciences] Kozhikode [Association for Welfare of the Handicapped, Farook College] Madurai [Grace Kennett Foundation Hospital, Madurai Institute of Social Sciences] Malappuram [Pocker Sahib Memorial Orphanage, Sheshy Charitable Society, Support, Rajagiri Outreach] Mandya [Vikasana Institute for Rural and Urban Development, Bheem Integrated Rural Development Society] Mangalore [ Roshni Nilaya, School of Social Work], Mysore [Organization for the Development of People, Rural Literacy & Health Programme, Nisarga Foundation] Nagapattinam [ Avvai Village Welfare Society, DMI] Palghat [Preshitha Social Service Society, Palghat Mercy College, Attappady Social Service organisation] Puducherry [Integrated Rehabilation & Development Centre, Pondicherry Multipurpose School Service Society] Salem [ Don Bosco Social Service Society, Young Women's Christian Association], Shimoga [Siddeshwara Rural Development Society, Malnad Social Service Society] Tiruvannamalai [ Peoples Craft Training Centre, Rural Education & Development Society, Terre Des Homes Core Trust] Trivandrum [Trivandrum Don Bosco Veedu Society, Loyola Extension Services] Trivandrum Social Service Society], Tirunelveli [Centre for Empowerment of Women & Children, (Saranalayam-Tsss)] Thrissur [St.Christina Holy Angel's Home, Vimala College Department of Social Work] Trichy [Bishop Heber College, Department of Social Work, SOCSEAD)] , Vijayawada [Forum for Child Rights], Vishakapatinam (UGC-Drs Programme, Department of Social Work,)] Vishakhapatnam [Association for Rural Development and Action Research, Wayanad [Joint Voluntary Action for Legal Alternatives, Hilda Trust]

NORTH »

Agra [Chetana] Allahabad [Diocesan Development Welfare Society] Alwar [Nirvanavan Foundation] Ambala [Zilla Yuva Vikas Sanghatan] Chandauli [Gramanchal Seva Samiti], Chandigarh [Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education & Research, Youth Technical Training School] Dehradun [Mountain Children's Foundation] Delhi [Salaam Baalak Trust, Don Bosco Ashalayam, Delhi Brotherhood Society, Prayas, Butterflies] Dungarpur [Rajasthan Bal Kalyan Samiti, Bhoruka Charitable Trust, Mahila Grameen Vikas Evam Takniki Prashikshan Sansthan] Gautam Budh Nagar [FXB Surakhsha, Sadrag, Association for welfare Social Action & Research] Ghaziabad [Asha Deep Foundation] Gorakhpur [Disa, Purvanchal Gramin Seva Samiti] Gurgaon [Shakti Vahini] Jaipur [I-India, Jan Kala Sahitya Manch Sanstha, Institute for Development Studies] Jammu [Indian Red Cross Society, University of Jammu] Jhansi [Society of Francisan Brothers] Jodhpur [Vikalp Sansthan] Kangra [Urban Tribal & Hills Advancement Society] Kanpur [Subhash Children's Society ] Kota [Alarippu, Rajasthan State Bharat Scouts & Guides, Lucknow [Human Unity Movement, National Institute for Public Cooperation and Child Development] Ludhiana [Swami Ganga Nand Bhuri Wale International Foundation] Manali [HP Mahila Kalyan Mandal, Himalayan Friends] Meerut [Janhit Foundation] Patiala [Navjeevani School of Special Education, Society for welfare of the Handicapped, Department of Social work] Rohtak [Bharat Vikas Sangh] Shimla [Himachal Pradesh Voluntary Health Association] Srinagar [Human Efforts for Love & Peace Foundation] Udaipur (Seva Mandir, Udaipur School of Social Work] Varanasi [Gandhi Adhyanpeeth, Asmita]

EAST »

Agartala [Voluntary Health Association of Tripura] Aizawl [Centre for Peace and Development, Mizo Hmeichhe Insuihkhawm Pawl] Behrampur [Indian Society for Rural Development, Organization for Development Integrated Social & Health Action, National Institute for Rural Motivation Awareness & Training Activities] Bhubaneswar [Ruchika Social Service Organisation] Bilaspur [Samarpit, Shikhar Yuva Manch ] Burdwan [Asansol Burdwan Seva Kendra, Jayprakash Institute of Social Change, Speech and Hearing Action Society] Cuttack & Puri [Basundhara] Darbhanga [East & West Educational Society, Kanchan Seva Ashram, Sarvo Prayas Sansthan, Gramoday Veethi, Keoti Subcentre, Gramoday Veethi (Singhwara Sub Centre), Gyan Seva Bharti Sansthan, Batika] Darjeeling [Child In Need Institue] Dhanbad [Bhartiya Kisan Sangh, Gram Praudyigik Vikas Santhan, Rural and Urban Socio-Cultural Help] Dimapur [Prodigals Home, Community Educational Centre Society Development Programme] Guwahati [Indian Council for Child Welfare, National Institute for Public Cooperation & Child Development, Imphal [Manipur Voluntary Health Association Department of Anthropology, Mahila Kalyan Samity] Jalpaiguri [Jalpaiguri Welfare Organisation, Ananda Chandra College] Kishanganj [East & West Educational Society, Cresent Educational & Welfare Trust, Nilu Jan Vikas Sansthan, Koshi Gramin Vikas Santhan, Compeering Society for Social Work and Research Network] Kolkata [Don Bosco Ashalayam,Cini Asha, City Level Programme for Street & Working Children, Loreto Day School, Bustee Local Committee & Social Welfare Centre, Society for Educational & Environmental Development, Institute of Psychological & Educational Research] Murshidabad [Palsapally Unnayan Samity, Cini-Murshidabad Unit, Shahid Khudiram Pathagarh] Muzaffarpur [Mahila Deveoplment Centre, Nation Institute for Rural Development Education Social Upliftment and Health, Gramin Jan Kalyan Parishad, Hanuman Prasad Gramin Vikas Samity] Nadia [Sreema Mahila Samity, Karimpur Social Welfare Society] North 24 Parganas [Centre for Communication and Development, Dhagagia Social Welfare Society, North 24 Parganas Sammyo Sromo Gibi Samiti, Khalisady Anubhav Welfare Association, Joygopalpur Youth Development Center, Charuigachhi Light House Society, Katakhali Empowerment & Youth Association , Sayestanagar Swanirvar Mahila Samity] Pakur [Bhartiya Kisan Sangh, Gramin Vikas Kendra, Lok Kalyan Seva Kendra, Tagore Society for Rural Development, Foundation for Awareness Counselling and Education, Aman Samaj Kalyan evem Artik Vikash Sansthan, Jharkhand Vikas Parishad] Paschim Medinipur [Prabuddha Bharati Sishutirtha,Vidyasagar School of Social Work] Patna [Balsakha Tripolia Social Service Hospital, East & West Educational Society, Nari Gunjan] Purba Medinipur [Vivekananda Lok Siksha Niketan, Egra Sarada Shashi Bhusan College] Purnea [Tatvasi Samaj Nyas, Akhil Bhartiya Gramin Vikas Parishad, Parivesh Purna Jagran] Raipur [Sankalp Sanskritik Samiti, Chetna Child & Women Welfare Society] Ranchi [Xaviers Institute of Social Science, Samadhan, Chotanagpur Sanskritik Sangh] Rourkela [Disha] Shillong [Bosco Reach Out, Impulse NGO Network] Sitamarhi [Pratham Mumbai Education Initiative, Pratham Mumbai Education Initiative (Parihar Sub Centre), Pragati Ek Prayas, Bairgania, Pragati Ek Prayas, Sonbarsa / Dostia, Pragati Ek Prayas, Riga] South 24 Parganas [Sabuj Sangha,Cini-Diamond Harbour Unit, School of Women's Studies]

WEST »

Ahmedabad [Asag, Gujarat Vidyapith, M.D.Samaj Vidyalaya] Ahmednagar [Snehalaya] Amravati [Shree Hanuman Vyayam Prasarak Mandal] Aurangabad [Aapulki Samaj Seva Sanstha's,Dilasa Jan Vikas Pratishthan] Baroda [Baroda Citizens Council, Faculty of Social Work, Ms University] Bhopal [Advocacy for Alternative Resources Action Mobilization & Brotherhood, The Bhopal School of Social Sciences] Goa [Nirmala Education Society, Jan Ugahi Trust, Vikalp Trust] Guna [Kalpataru Vikas Samiti] Gwalior [Centre for Integrated Development ] Indore [Lok Biradri Trust, Indore School of Social Work] Jabalpur [Jabalpur Diocesan Welfare Society] Kalyan [Aasara], Khandwa [Aastha Welfare Society] Mumbai [Mumbai (Nodal), Yuva, Committed Communities for Development Trust, Hamara Foundation] Nagpur [Apang Va Niradhar Bahuddeshiya Kalyankari Sanstha, Matru Seva Sang Institute of Social Work, Bapuji Bahujan Samaj Kalyan Bahuddeshiya Sansth, Vardaan] Nashik [Navjeevan World Peace & Research Foundation] Pune [Dnyana Devi, Karve Institute of Social Service] Sangli [Prakash Shikshan Parasarak Sanstha] Rajkot [Shri Pujit Memorial Trust] Sagar [Manav Vikas Seva Sanga] Solapur [Akkalkot Education Society, Walchand College of Arts & Science] Ujjain [Kripa Social Welfare Society, Madhya Pradesh Institute of Social Science & Research]

CHILDLINE Model

CHILDLINE works with the children in the city/district. This includes the following catergories - street children and youth living alone on the street, child labourers in the unorganised sector, children who have been abused, child victims of the flesh trade, differently-abled children, children with addictions, children in conflict with the law, children in institutions, mentally ill children, children affected by HIV/AIDS, children affected by conflicts and disasters, child political refugees, children whose families are in crisis, etc.

Calls made to CHILDLINE are logged as medical assistance, shelter, missing children, repatriation, Protection from abuse, Emotional support and guidance, Death, information about CHILDLINE, Volunteers, Information and referral to services, Silent calls, Chat calls etc. Its cases involve sickness, death and abuse of children, runaways and child labour, focusing on the marginalized child. After the initial crisis intervention CHILDLINE links these children to long-term services such as other NGOs, Government Organisations and services.

Structure of CHILDLINE at the local level in any city/district

CHILDLINE functions through a network of Non-governmental organizations, academic institutes, the corporate sector and the allied systems. The focus of the service according to CHILDLINE is adapt their model according to the kind of problems children face in that particular city/district.

• CHILDLINE Advisory Board (CAB) comprising senior level functionaries from the allied systems, NGOs concerned individuals, media etc. It is the policy making body for CHILDLINE at the city level and it undertakes periodic review of CHILDLINE

• The Nodal Organization, essentially an academic institute responsible for coordination, training, research, documentation, awareness and advocacy

• The Collaborative Organization, essentially a 24-hour service for children, responds to calls on 1098, provides emergency intervention, links children to services for rehabilitation, conducts awareness and outreach programmes, documents the calls that come into CHILDLINE.

• The Support Organization responds to calls referred by the collaborative organization, conducts awareness and outreach programs

• Resource Organizations: These organizations act as referral centres for CHILDLINE. They also participate in outreach and awareness programs for CHILDLINE

How CHILDLINE works

The CHILDLINE service can be understood at three levels – 1098 service, CHILDLINE at the city level and CHILDLINE India Foundation (CIF) at the national level.

The CHILDLINE service, 1098, connects callers to one of CHILDLINE's collaborative agencies. When a child or adult calls in, a CHILDLINE team member goes out to the child or alerts a support agency in the vicinity of the child in distress. After the emergency needs of the child have been addressed, CHILDLINE explores options with the child to study, learn a trade, go back home etc. Based on the decision of the child, CHILDLINE links the child to an appropriate organisation in the city.

All CHILDLINE centers in the country work under partnerships. The partnerships in each city or district work with the brand add-on model to cater the service to the children in that region. A list of all CHILDLINE Partners can be found on their website.

At the national level, CHILDLINE India Foundation oversees the CHILDLINE service across the country. It sets up and facilitates the functioning of the service and aims at sensitizing the community to child rights issues.

Departments of CHILDLINE India Foundation

Communications and Strategic Initiatives (CSI )

The Communications and Strategic Initiatives department is responsible for the following tasks:

• Creating a brand image for CHILDLINE
• Awareness for CHILDLINE:creating awareness of 'Child Protection' as well as of the tele-helpline 1098 amongst various segments including general public, media, corporate organizations, grants/ funding agencies & trusts.
• Communication management covering Advertising & Public Relations.
• Publications: After deciding upon a subject, the department feels is relevant to child issues, PRAD carries out research, verifies sources and conducts a study on the subject. PRAD finally publishes studies and manuals on the subject.
• Newsletter: The newsletter is a bimonthly publication of CIF, sharing and informing about various CHILDLINE activities and different kinds of calls coming in at CHILDLINE to all departments. On many occasions, the newsletters are issue-based. Every two months, the services department provides the PRAD department information about CHILDLINE activities, which are then compiled, and drafts circulated before the actual printing.
• Call documentation: CHILDLINE uses ChildNET for documenting its child assistance case details and missing children case details. It also compiles a directory of all the agencies (Collab, Support, Resource etc.) in different parts of India, for easy reference.

Finance and Administration

The F&A department performs the functions of financial management and control and compliance of legal and statutory requirements.

Services

The Services department of CHILDLINE India Foundation handles all matters concerning the actual functioning and efficiency of the helpline. It is responsible for the initiation and facilitation of the CHILDLINE service across the nation. Its functioning can be broadly be categorized into four parts.

• Preparatory functions that precede the initiation of CHILDLINE
• Networking, facilitating and capacity building the CHILDLINE network
• Processing and recommending the organizations implementing the CHILDLINE service to the Government of India for receipt of Grant-in-aid
• Research and documentation

Resource Mobilisation

The Resource Mobilization Department has been set up to provide a sustainable retail fund raising for CIF's growing needs. Retail funds cover donations from individuals and use a variety of initiatives to reach donors. Currently the team is working on innovative programs in schools, events like Mumbai and Delhi Maratthons, Cause tie ups with financial institutions, direct mail programs and so on.

Website

The CHILDLINE Website was launched on 31 March 2007. At the time there were two sections to the Website: CHILDLINE 1098 Service which gives an overview of their helpline and Childline India Foundaion which gives an overview of their nodal agency. A section called Child Protection and Rights was added in January 2008. It covers a number of topics about Children's rights and Child protection issues internationally as well as in India.Revamp of Child Protection & Child Rights Section The Child Protection / Child Rights section of the CHILDLINE India Foundation website was updated and re-structured in October 2010. The Child Rights and Child Protection (CRCP) section provides a comprehensive base of knowledge regarding CP/CR in India, Regionally and Internationally. The section is for students, scholars, field workers, CHILDLINE staff and partners, and citizens generally interested in CP/CR. The section discusses the various issues faced by children in the world and specifically in India. It outlines the various policy, legislature, programmes and budgetary allocations for children in India and connects these efforts to state, national, regional and international bodies and commitments. The purpose of this section is to locate crucial information about CP/CR in one space so as to make understanding and internalizing the concepts and commitments of this country and the world a simple process that is available to all. Contents • I. Child Protection and Rights • II. Child in India • III. Vulnerable Children • IV. National Mechanisms • V. State Mechanisms • VI. Regional Mechanisms • VII. International Mechanisms • VIII. Child Budgeting Visit the section and register - a brief registration is required for all visitors – this is for our records. Explore the world of Child Rights and Child Protection.

CHILDLINE India Foundation website recorded the highest ever traffic in November 2010, over 13,000 visitors. Of these over 11000 visitors were first time visitors.

References

• CHILDLINE Homepage
• Visit CIF facebook page:http://www.facebook.com/pages/Childline-India-Foundation/137070779678465
• CHILDLINE blog: http://www.dus-nau-aath.blogspot.com/
• Twitter page:http://twitter.com/#!/CHILDLINE1098

Newsletters:http://childlineindia.org.in/1098/b12newsletters.htm

• Annual Report: http://childlineindia.org.in/annualreports.htm

See also

• Volunteer Now:

http://childlineindia.org.in/volunteer-for-childline.htm

To Donate:

Visit- http://www.childlineindia.org.in/1098/donations.htm

ChildLine Child helpline international Convention on the Rights of the Child Child Rights Information Network

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