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
