Inside India’s Child Protection System | What Really Happens After a Complaint

In this episode, we speak with Vaidehi Subramani, child rights activist, former Chairperson of the Child Welfare Committee (CWC), and POCSO trainer, about how child abuse cases are handled in India and how the child protection system actually works.

Drawing from decades of frontline experience, she explains what happens when a child reports abuse — from the first complaint to the system’s response — and why many cases never reach court. The conversation looks closely at child abuse within families, the role of POCSO law and juvenile justice, and the gaps that continue to put children at risk.

The discussion covers:
 • What happens in the first 24 hours after a child reports abuse
 • Why most abuse cases involve people the child knows
 • How Child Welfare Committees and Juvenile Justice Boards function
 • Why children are often not believed when they speak up
 • Digital abuse and online exploitation of children
 • What parents, schools, and institutions need to understand about child safety

This episode offers a clear, grounded look at child protection, law, and accountability in India, intended for parents, educators, policymakers, and anyone seeking to understand the system beyond headlines.

Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction to Child Tr*fficking in Delhi
00:50 Meet Vaidehi: The Child Rights Warrior
02:33 Challenges in Child Protection
03:51 Case Study: Afghan Children in Delhi
06:11 Understanding Juvenile Justice
11:19 Rehabilitation and Reintegration
23:28 Factors Leading to Juvenile Crimes
26:18 The Role of Family and Society
32:00 Exploring the Impact of Violent Upbringings
32:52 Digital Fasting Experiment
33:54 Impact of Digital Deprivation on Children
36:38 Parenting Styles and Challenges
39:51 Child Tr*fficking and Exploitation
52:00 Digital Abuse and Its Consequences
59:49 Emotional Reflections and Conclusion

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Guest: Vaidehi Subramani
Child Rights Activist | Former CWC Chairperson | POCSO Trainer

Host: Gaurav Arora
Founder, xMonks

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