On 18 February, the Child Safety Net (a BREADS programme) team of DBCLM Davanagere
organised an empowering training session for municipal sanitation workers in collaboration
with the local Municipal Corporation. Here’s why!
People like sanitation workers, auto drivers, shop keepers, public transport personnel and
the public in general (which includes you and I), have an important role to play as caring
community members committed to child safeguarding in our neighbourhoods. The training
capacitates them to playing an important gate keeping role in their communities, ensuring
that no child goes unnoticed or is left in distress. This proactive approach focuses on
prevention and promotion, encouraging community members to step up when witnessing
harmful situations.
The session was attended by over 100 participants from 45 wards of Davanagere, all of
whom were trained to recognise signs of child abuse and intervene when necessary. Social
workers cannot be present everywhere; therefore, caring community members become
the eyes and ears on the ground that are ready to act when they see something wrong. The
session reinforced the idea that an active bystander goes beyond just noticing harmful
actions. They make sure children are safe, reporting concerns, and stepping in when
necessary. The Child Safety Net programme promotes the formation and training of 15
caring communities in each city, as part of its commitment to ensure every child is free from
harm.
During the training, Dr. Chandramohan, the Municipal Corporation Health Officer, and Mrs
Shailashree, from Shree Shakthi Association emphasised how sanitation workers, who often
work in public spaces, schools, and neighbourhoods, are uniquely positioned to observe
situations that others might miss. Fr Regi, Director of DBCLM, focused on child protection
laws and how the community can be part of the solution.
Ms Sujatha, a sanitation worker, said, “I never realised how important my role could be. I
now feel empowered to help children in need.” Another participant, Mr Jagdish, shared, “We
can all do something to keep our community safe. It’s about being aware and speaking up.”
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. once said, “History will have to record that the greatest tragedy of
this period of social transition was not the strident clamour of the bad people, but the
appalling silence of the good people.” If you encounter a child in distress, don’t be a passive
onlooker. Be an active caring community member and report the situation to the local
authorities. Your actions can make a world of difference.
For any concerns or emergencies with regard to child safety, please contact the
following child safety net team numbers:
● Davanagere: 080507 22610
● Mysuru: 0821- 4257506
● Kalaburagi: 8088849057
● Bangalore: 9483139570
