Government rolls out scheme to help minor rape survivors

Context

The Centre has approved a scheme that will provide support to minor rape survivors who have been abandoned by their family, often due to pregnancy, and have no other means to support themselves.

About

• The “scheme for critical care and support for accessing justice to rape/gang rape survivors or minor girls who get pregnant” will provide shelter, food, safe transportation for court hearings, and legal aid.
• Ministry: Women and Child Development (WCD) Ministry
• Funding: A fund of ?74.1 crore has been allocated for the scheme.
• The support will be provided under aegis of the Nirbhaya scheme.
• The Ministry has additionally leveraged the administrative structure of Mission Vatsalya in collaboration with state governments and child care institutions (CCIs) to actualise this support to minor victims on the ground.

About the Schemes Nirbhaya scheme The Government of India established the Nirbhaya Fund in response to the Nirbhaya Case in 2013. It is aimed specifically at projects for improving women’s safety and security and is managed by the Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD). Mission Vatsalya Mission Vatsalya is a scheme that focuses on aligning development and child protection priorities with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Its primary objectives include promoting child rights, advocating for awareness, and strengthening the juvenile justice care and protection system, all aimed at ensuring that every child is supported and not left behind.

The need

• The minor victims of aggravated sexual assault under goes the physical and emotional trauma.
• In some cases, they become pregnant.

The numbers As per the National Crime Records Bureau report, 51,863 Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses (POCSO) Act cases were lodged in 2021, out of which 64% were of penetrative sexual assault, aggravated penetrative assault and has become pregnant due to such assault or rape is covered under the scheme. As per the guidelines the child should either be an orphan, abandoned by the family or does not wish to live with the family. It is not mandatory for the girl child victim to have a copy of the FIR for availing the benefits under the scheme.