Save the Children sets up Multi-Resource Centre for faster JJ inquiry process

1 September, Chennai: Department of Social Defense, Government of Tamil Nadu in collaboration with Save the Children, a leading child rights organisation, established one of its kind, technology enabled Multipurpose Resource Center (MRC) at the department office, for children in need of care and protection and children in conflict with law, supported by Nokia. This resource center has been set up to smoothen the inquiry process as per juvenile justice system.

Justice Indira Banerjee, Judge, Supreme Court (Former Chief Justice, Madras High Court) and Hon’ble Justice Mrs. Vijaya Kamlesh Tahilramani, Chief Justice, High Court of Madras were the Chief Guests at the inauguration of the center. Justice S. Manikumar, Chairman of Juvenile Justice Committee and a panel of other senior judges were also present at the event.

Speaking on the occasion, Hon’ble Justice Indira Banerjee, Judge Supreme Court of India remarked that “This was absolutely essential and unfortunately we have a few MRCs in the country and this is the second. The objective behind it is to have a consultation with children in need of care and protection and children in conflict with law in presence of multi stakeholder involved in the processes, without having to compromise with the confidentiality of the child. The centre is set up with a child friendly ambience to create a comfortable and facilitative environment for the enquiry process, such that the children can fearlessly and openly express their views. This Centre will also help in coordinate the proceedings with multi- stakeholder which will lead to early disposal or settlement of cases.”

Hon’ble Justice Mrs. Vijaya Kamlesh Tahilramani highlighted the importance of MRC in providing child friendly atmosphere during the time of inquiry process. She spoke about the proactive role the High Court Monitoring Committee on Juvenile Justice had taken towards by supporting the setting up of the MRC. She also mentioned that the Committee has been very proactive in terms of monitoring the implementation of JJ Act in the state and its recommendation has helped several structures as mandated by the Act.

The main objective of setting this center is to bring officials from different departments at one place in order to have a comprehensive investigation at once into the case, without having a direct interface with the child. The center has a ‘Child Friendly’ room, where one designated person will interact with the child, while the Child Welfare Committee Chairperson and other relevant stakeholders can see and hear the process from a different room through video conferencing facility. This will ensure privacy for the child during the complete inquiry process. Also, resource materials to engage children in a child friendly dialogue during the inquiry process have also been made available at the center.

Monday 3 September 2018
Save the Children sets up Multi-Resource Centre for faster JJ inquiry process

1 September, Chennai: Department of Social Defense, Government of Tamil Nadu in collaboration with Save the Children, a leading child rights organisation, established one of its kind, technology enabled Multipurpose Resource Center (MRC) at the department office, for children in need of care and protection and children in conflict with law, supported by Nokia. This resource center has been set up to smoothen the inquiry process as per juvenile justice system.

Justice Indira Banerjee, Judge, Supreme Court (Former Chief Justice, Madras High Court) and Hon’ble Justice Mrs. Vijaya Kamlesh Tahilramani, Chief Justice, High Court of Madras were the Chief Guests at the inauguration of the center. Justice S. Manikumar, Chairman of Juvenile Justice Committee and a panel of other senior judges were also present at the event.

Speaking on the occasion, Hon’ble Justice Indira Banerjee, Judge Supreme Court of India remarked that “This was absolutely essential and unfortunately we have a few MRCs in the country and this is the second. The objective behind it is to have a consultation with children in need of care and protection and children in conflict with law in presence of multi stakeholder involved in the processes, without having to compromise with the confidentiality of the child. The centre is set up with a child friendly ambience to create a comfortable and facilitative environment for the enquiry process, such that the children can fearlessly and openly express their views. This Centre will also help in coordinate the proceedings with multi- stakeholder which will lead to early disposal or settlement of cases.”

Hon’ble Justice Mrs. Vijaya Kamlesh Tahilramani highlighted the importance of MRC in providing child friendly atmosphere during the time of inquiry process. She spoke about the proactive role the High Court Monitoring Committee on Juvenile Justice had taken towards by supporting the setting up of the MRC. She also mentioned that the Committee has been very proactive in terms of monitoring the implementation of JJ Act in the state and its recommendation has helped several structures as mandated by the Act.

The main objective of setting this center is to bring officials from different departments at one place in order to have a comprehensive investigation at once into the case, without having a direct interface with the child. The center has a ‘Child Friendly’ room, where one designated person will interact with the child, while the Child Welfare Committee Chairperson and other relevant stakeholders can see and hear the process from a different room through video conferencing facility. This will ensure privacy for the child during the complete inquiry process. Also, resource materials to engage children in a child friendly dialogue during the inquiry process have also been made available at the center.

Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of children) Act 2015 caters to the basic needs of children through proper care, protection, development, social re-integration through ‘child-friendly approach and disposal of matters’ in the best interest of children.

When a child comes in contact with law, as one who needs care and protection or is in conflict with law, he/she goes through an extensive and exhaustive inquiry and ‘reform’ process. The child gets interviewed multiple times by different sets of people. This may lead to victimization and trauma, since the child would need to recollect the information several times. The MRC is a solution to minimize the number of interactions a child goes through in the system, thereby upholding the child’s right to humane treatment.

About: Save the Children works across 20 states of India; it focusses on issues related to education, health, protection of children and humanitarian work — especially for the most deprived and marginalized children.

Visit www.savethechildren.in for more information

For further information contact:

Govindan Shankar [email protected] +91 – 9443429638,

Lynette Phillips [email protected]