In a bid to safeguard women and children within the state, the Community Affairs Division and Women Affairs Wing of Punjab Police have introduced a pioneering program named Jagriti. This initiative is aimed at preventing instances of sexual violence against children, particularly those aged between 5 and 12 years. The initiative Jagriti is being backed by the pivotal training program organised by the Community Affairs Division Punjab for 180 Punjab Police officials at the Punjab Police Officer Institute here. The comprehensive session, organised on the directions of Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav, focused on Child Sexual Abuse, Prevention and Provisions in Law.
Special DGP Community Affairs Division and Women Affairs Gurpreet Kaur Deo, while elucidating the Saanjh Jagriti Program’s objectives, emphasised its role in creating awareness among students (class 2nd to 5th), teachers, principals, and ancillary staff, including peons and drivers. Director of Prasanchetas Foundation Manjula Sularia and State Coordinator of Bachpan Bachao Andolan Yadwinder Singh conducted enlightening sessions on child sexual abuse awareness and the POCSO Act respectively on the occasion. Spl DGP Gurpreet Kaur Deo said that these trained police officials are now poised to serve as master trainers in their respective districts, playing a pivotal role in disseminating knowledge and awareness. In the next week, these master trainers will provide training to 800 Women Police officials stationed at 421 Shakti Help Desks across the state, she added.
These Women officials will visit all Government and Private Schools under the jurisdiction of their concerned Police Station, she said, while adding that to further amplify their impact, study material on Child Sexual Abuse has been provided, with plans for distribution in schools. Meanwhile, this initiative underscores the Punjab Police’s commitment to safeguarding the well-being of children and creating a safer environment through informed and empowered law enforcement officials. The Jagriti program will be put into action by Shakti Help Desks women officials with effect from March 8, 2024 on the occasion of International Women’s Day.