THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Abhi (name changed) had never experienced affection at home. What he mostly witnessed were parental figures forming gangs and engaging in illegal activities. When he had the chance to get help, he was amply supported by the right set of authorities, who provided counselling and proper care.
He initially responded positively to the support he received. But all of it went in vain when Abhi lethally injured a batchmate. Authorities were confused. Who should be blamed: the troubled minor or the people who created the environment that he found himself in?
Figures from the Kaval scheme — run by the state’s women and child development department for the rehabilitation and social integration of children in conflict with law (CCL) — offer a perspective.
According to data with the State Child Protection Society (SCPS), around 60% of kids who are currently part of Kaval, which translates to protection, lacked a proper support system within their families.
The total number of children currently receiving psychosocial support under the scheme is 3,116, of which 1,849 were supported through family intervention measures, including counselling. Of the total, close to 90% come from families without any history of violence.
Children not blank slates, says expert
Additionally, parents of 1,146 children — more than one-third — were given management training sessions and modules on parenting, exposing a huge gap which can alter the life and future of a child.
Substance use was also identified as a critical factor, with 1,146 children receiving preventive intervention, while 176 were referred for de-addiction.
The numbers also offer hope. They indicate that most children are unlikely to return to crime after psychosocial interventions made through Kaval.
Within the first year of support, only 4.1% of children displayed recidivism. This dropped to 2.5% after the period.
Pointing to biological and environmental factors that could land a child in vulnerable situations, former consultant psychiatrist with Ernakulam District Child Protection Society Dr Mathew R John said in many cases CCLs are from broken or single-parent families.
“Children are not blank slates...The violence they demonstrate could be also because of genetic factors. Even among such children, a good environment and family support can prove to be deterrents,” he said.