The Legal Aid Cell of St. Joseph’s College of Law, Bengaluru, in collaboration with Loyola Vikas Kendra, Mundgod, successfully organized a State Level Workshop on Child Protection and Child Safety Measures on 9th and 10th March 2026. The workshop aimed to create awareness, enhance understanding and build capacity among participants regarding child protection laws, institutional mechanisms, and practical implementation strategies.

The workshop commenced with Session 1, which was chaired and conducted by Dr. Vasudeva Sharma, Executive Director and Trustee, Child Rights Trust. The session primarily focused on the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and the conceptual framework of child protection. The speaker provided valuable insights into the legal provisions under POCSO, the procedural aspects involved in handling such cases and the importance of a child-sensitive approach within the justice delivery system. The session helped participants gain a foundational understanding of child protection mechanisms and the challenges involved in addressing offences against children.

Following the lunch break, Session 2 was chaired and conducted by Dr.Tippeswamy, Member, Karnataka State Commission for Protection of Child Rights. The session focused on child rights, child protection frameworks and real-life case experiences handled by the Commission. The speaker elaborated on the role of statutory bodies in safeguarding child rights and highlighted practical challenges encountered in implementation. The discussion of real case scenarios added depth to the session, enabling participants to connect theoretical knowledge with ground realities.

On the second day, a Panel Discussion was organized involving representatives from key child protection stakeholders viz., the panel comprised distinguished officials including:
(a) Smt. Nagarathna, Chairperson, Child Welfare Committee (CWC)
(b) Smt. Hemavathi S N, Counsellor, District Child Protection Unit (DCPU), Central Bengaluru
(c) Smt. Manjula Devi S.M, Labour Officer, Bengaluru Sub-Division-4
The panel discussion emphasized the need for inter-departmental coordination, effective enforcement of child protection laws and the role of institutions such as the Child Welfare Committee, District Child Protection Unit, Special Juvenile Police Unit and Labour Department in ensuring child safety. The panelists shared practical insights from their respective fields, discussed challenges in implementation and suggested strategies for strengthening the existing child protection framework.

After the tea break, Session 4 featured two expert speakers. Mrs. Katyayini, Executive Trustee of CIVIC Bengaluru, delivered a session on the Right to Education Act, 2009, highlighting the legal guarantees for access to education and its role in child protection. She emphasized the importance of ensuring inclusive and equitable education as a preventive mechanism against child exploitation.

This was followed by a session by Dr. Raghavendra Bhat, Regional Coordinator, Government of Karnataka – UNICEF Child Protection Project who spoke on child protection systems, elaborating on the multi-tier structure of child protection mechanisms in India. The speaker explained the roles and responsibilities at various levels, including community, district and state, thereby providing a comprehensive understanding of the institutional framework.

The final session of the workshop was conducted by Rev. Fr. Jerald D'Souza, Director, St. Joseph’s College of Law. Participants were divided into groups based on their respective districts and engaged in group discussions focusing on strategies for strengthening child protection systems in schools and society. This interactive session encouraged participants to collaboratively identify challenges and propose practical solutions tailored to their local contexts.

The two-day workshop was highly informative and interactive, providing participants with both theoretical knowledge and practical insights into child protection laws and mechanisms. It facilitated meaningful discussions, encouraged stakeholder engagement, and emphasized the importance of coordinated efforts in ensuring child safety.

The workshop concluded on a positive note, with participants gaining enhanced awareness and a deeper commitment towards strengthening child protection systems in their respective communities.