SPAN could prevent 150 child marriages and could support 25 cases of child sexual abuse for Justice and rehabilitation of victim through Community based child protection system involving Panchayats, Police, ASHA Workers, School Teachers, SHG group members and villagers in Kalimpong district of West Bengal

The economic crisis, long closure of schools and suspension of the services of child protection during the pandemic period left children most vulnerable across the country.  Particularly in the state of West Bengal and Jharkhand rampant increase in the rate of early marriage, teenage pregnancy, child trafficking and child labour has been observed. When the state child protection system is failing to protect the children there is a need of robust Community based Child Protection System to be taken on in mission mode under the leadership local youth and women along with community based institutions such as Panchayat and Schools.

SPAN find its role in capacity building of Youth councils and Child Rights Defenders as well as facilitating convergence of stakeholders at block and district level connecting local Child Rights Defenders and Youth Councils with Child Welfare Committee, District Child Protection Unite, Block Level Child Protection Committee, Police and Special Juvenile Police Unit, etc. for ensuring the harmony in functioning between the district/block level and local level child protection system.

Students and teachers from 13 High schools, 50 Youth volunteers, Member of 10 Gram Panchayat were oriented on the issue of child protection focussing prevention of child marriage, teenage pregnancy and child sexual abuse. Youth councils are in process of formulation in these villages while regular tracking of children are going on through local youth volunteers. Orientation of VLCPC members on child protection issues is in progress. Regular awareness on prevention of early marriages were going on while 60,000 local people has taken formal pledges against child marriage.