After the disclosure of shocking Nithari killings, the Ministry of Women and Child Development is preparing a Child Protection Bill to restrict the sexual and economic exploitation of children in the country.

However, the dozen of legislations are already in effect but still the ministry has observed that a large number of children are suffering from child abuse. The ministry further pointed out that it should be addressed more effectively and attentively.

The ministry said in a note that sexual and economic exploitation, domestic violence, trafficking for prostitution, corporal punishment at school and others would be notified as child abuse.

It said that matters ranging from health, nutrition, sports and recreation, other than protection from exploitation and abuse would be tackled through constitutional provisions, law and government policies.

It goes on to point out that child abuse is one such issue among so many issues unresolved that need further intervention. The note said that sexual abuse and child pornography are the worst forms of child abuse.

According to the Indian Express report, the ministry has been identified the problem areas and now it is in talks with NGOs and legal experts to complete the nature of the bill on offences against children.

Most probably, the bill would be passed in the coming session of the Parliament. The ministry is preparing the draft of the bill to put before the Cabinet as soon as possible.

Currently, there are at least 11 legislations that address the issue of child abuse. The legislations which specifically deal with physical, economic and sexual abuse of children are such as Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, 1956, Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986, and Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2000.

There are some provisions in the Indian Penal Code that deal with physical and sexual abuse of children too.

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