Safe Childhood Awareness Campaign Gains Momentum in Dehradun; 30 Judicial Officers Reach Out to Students
District Judge Harish Kumar Goyal educates around 500 students at Wynberg Allen School in Mussoorie about child rights and the POCSO Act
Campaign running from October 26 to 31, with a focus on child protection, personal safety and cybercrime awareness
Dehradun, October 27, 2026: The District Legal Services Authority (DLSA), Dehradun, is conducting an extensive ‘Safe Childhood Awareness Campaign’ in accordance with the guidelines of the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA), New Delhi. The initiative aims to protect children’s rights and raise awareness about personal safety, exploitation, abuse and offences affecting children.
As part of the campaign, judicial officers are visiting schools across Dehradun district to educate students about their legal rights, available protection mechanisms and ways to seek assistance in unsafe situations.
District Judge Reaches Out to Around 500 Students
On Tuesday, Harish Kumar Goyal, District Judge and Chairman of the District Legal Services Authority, Dehradun, participated in an awareness programme at Wynberg Allen School in Mussoorie. Around 500 students attended the session.
The District Judge explained key provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and discussed children’s rights, personal safety and the identification of potentially unsafe situations. Students were also informed about how to seek help and approach the appropriate authorities to report incidents of abuse or inappropriate behaviour.
The session aimed to empower children with legal awareness and encourage them to speak up when faced with situations that threaten their safety or well-being.
30 Judicial Officers Conduct Awareness Programmes Across the District
Awareness camps are being organised simultaneously at various locations across Dehradun district. In addition to the District Judge, 30 other judicial officers serving in different areas, including Dehradun, Mussoorie, Vikasnagar, Rishikesh, Doiwala and Chakrata, are visiting schools to interact with students.
The initiative seeks to establish direct communication between judicial officers and children, helping students understand their rights, legal safeguards and access to assistance. It also encourages children to report abuse and exploitation without fear or hesitation.
Child Protection Departments and Experts Join the Initiative
A key feature of the campaign is the participation of specialists and institutions working in child protection alongside judicial officers. These include Child Helpline representatives, the Child Welfare Committee (CWC), the Juvenile Justice Board (JJB), the Cyber Cell, the Special Juvenile Police Unit (SJPU), mental health specialists, law students and social workers.
Students are being educated about the POCSO Act, child rights, the juvenile justice system, cybercrime prevention and the support and protection services available to children.
Posters, booklets and Information, Education and Communication (IEC) materials are also being distributed to reinforce the messages delivered during the sessions.
The involvement of multiple departments and specialists is intended to provide children with a broader understanding of legal safeguards and the psychological and social support available when they need help.
Campaign to Continue Until October 31
According to the District Legal Services Authority, Dehradun, the campaign began on October 26 and will continue until October 31, 2026. During this period, judicial officers will participate in awareness programmes at schools across the district every day.
Coordinated efforts by judicial officers, child protection agencies and other specialists are aimed at reaching as many students as possible and helping them recognise unsafe behaviour, understand their rights and seek assistance when necessary.
Building a Safe and Fear-Free Environment for Children
The initiative is an important step towards creating a safe, sensitive and fear-free environment for children. Its central objective is to ensure that every child understands their rights, can recognise inappropriate behaviour and knows how to access appropriate assistance and protection.
The administration of Wynberg Allen School expressed gratitude to District Judge Harish Kumar Goyal and the participating team for conducting the awareness programme.
DLSA Secretary Emphasises Empowering Every Child
Seema Dungarakoti, Secretary of the District Legal Services Authority, Dehradun, said the campaign aims to reach every child and empower them with knowledge of their rights, personal safety and legal protection.
She highlighted that judicial officers are visiting schools personally to engage with students, while departments and specialists associated with child protection are working together to provide comprehensive information.
She said the initiative seeks to ensure that no child remains unaware of their rights or stays silent out of fear or hesitation when facing abuse, harassment or an unsafe situation.
She emphasised the importance of building children’s confidence that their concerns will be heard and that appropriate assistance and protection will be made available to them.
“A safe childhood is the foundation of a strong society and a bright future for the nation,” she said.
