Delhi's Child Protection Crisis: Over 2.18 Lakh Helpline Calls Highlight Gaps in Safety Net
In a stark revelation, more than 2.18 lakh distress calls were made to Child Helpline 1098 in Delhi between September 2023 and December 2025, with 14,684 cases escalated to District Child Protection Units (DCPUs). Despite this high volume of emergencies, a significant number of vulnerable children in the capital continue to fall outside the protection net, remaining on the streets and struggling to access essential support systems.
Multi-Stakeholder Consultation Drives Action Plan
This alarming gap has prompted the Department of Women and Child Development to collaborate with civil society organisations on a joint roadmap aimed at strengthening the last-mile delivery of child protection services. The initiative gained momentum during a recent multi-stakeholder consultation organised by CHETNA (Childhood Enhancement Through Training and Action) in partnership with the Delhi government. Over 90 participants, including government officials, NGOs, and children, convened to discuss strategies for making the city safer and more responsive for at-risk youth.
Officials provided updates on the functioning of protection systems, emphasizing that the 24×7 helpline serves as a critical emergency link, connecting children in crisis to rescue, care, and long-term rehabilitation. Operating through a central control room, district units, and help desks at major transport hubs, it often acts as the first point of contact for children seeking assistance.
Persistent Challenges: Documentation and Access Barriers
However, stakeholders highlighted ongoing challenges that hinder effective protection. Children living on the streets or in migrant families frequently remain outside formal systems due to strict Aadhaar requirements and a lack of basic documents, such as birth certificates. These barriers prevent them from accessing education, healthcare, and welfare schemes, exacerbating their vulnerability.
Participants stressed that closing this gap will require:
- Focused community outreach to identify and support at-risk children.
- Easier documentation procedures to streamline access to services.
- Continued coordination between government agencies and civil society, particularly at the neighbourhood level where children are most at risk of being excluded.
Commitment to Collaborative Solutions
Dr Rashmi Singh of the Department of Women and Child Development affirmed the department's commitment to working closely with civil society groups to ensure children receive the full benefits of government schemes. She emphasized that stronger community awareness, better scheme delivery, and consistent collaborative action are essential for meaningful progress.
Sanjay Gupta, Director of CHETNA, noted that such consultations help bridge the gap between policy and ground realities, strengthening coordination among agencies dedicated to child welfare.
Proposed Action Plan: Key Initiatives
The proposed action plan includes several key initiatives designed to enhance child protection:
- Joint awareness campaigns to promote the child helpline in schools and communities.
- Cross-learning visits between departments and NGOs to share best practices.
- Regular consultations to identify and address gaps early.
- Stronger coordination between departments handling Aadhaar, education, labour, health, and child protection to streamline documentation and service access.
- Joint research to assess whether government schemes are reaching the most marginalised children.
- Expansion of NGO work in areas such as sports for development, mental health, gender awareness, life skills, and vocational training.
Officials and child rights groups have called for the next phase to move beyond mere announcements to tangible, on-ground change, ensuring that every child in Delhi can access the protection and support they desperately need.
