LThe Goa State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (GSCPCR), in collaboration with ECHO-Adhar Goa, a branch of ECHO Centre for Juvenile Justice, Bengaluru, organized a training programme on the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015, on 23 October 2026 at the Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industry Hall, Panaji, Goa. The programme brought together around 75 participants, including representatives from the Police Department, Juvenile Justice Boards (JJBs), Child Welfare Committees (CWCs), Directorate of Women and Child Development (DWCD), NGOs and Child Care Institutions, along with other child protection stakeholders. The programme aimed to strengthen awareness, interdepartmental coordination and effective implementation of the Juvenile Justice Act.
The sessions focused on key provisions of the JJ Act, the challenges faced by children and the responsibilities of various child protection institutions. Discussions covered issues such as missing and runaway children, school dropout, substance abuse, exploitation and family conflicts. Adv. Dr. Antony Sebastion O. Praem, Founder and Director of ECHO and former Chairperson of Karnataka State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (KSCPCR), explained the legal safeguards, institutional responsibilities and rehabilitation measures under the Act. Dr. Manju Dhoundiyal, Former Deputy Director, NIPCCD, highlighted child-friendly policing and the responsibilities of Special Juvenile Police Units (SJPUs), while Mrs. SumedhaBelolkar, Superintendent-cum-Probation Officer, Apna Ghar, emphasized counselling, trauma-informed care, family support and individualized rehabilitation. The panel discussion further examined implementation challenges, including procedural delays, staff shortages, inadequate resources and gaps in follow-up, while emphasising accountability and coordinated efforts among departments.
The programme highlighted the need for regular capacity-building and training, stronger child protection institutions, improved counselling and mental health services, timely investigations and referrals, proper documentation and effective rehabilitation and family-based care. The discussions reaffirmed that child protection requires a coordinated and child-friendly approach, with the best interests, dignity and rights of every child at its centre. The programme concluded with a with stakeholders to strengthen the juvenile justice system in Goa to ensure that every child receives appropriate care, protection, access to justice and opportunities for rehabilitation and social reintegration..
