This session is designed as a role-clarification and decision-mapping exercise. The objective is to help participants realize that child protection is a core component of daily policing and to clarify exactly what police must do—and what they are not expected to do alone.
Trainer Action Ask participants: “When a child is at risk, what do you think the police role is?”
Instructions:
Invite short, rapid responses.
Write answers on the board.
Do not correct initially.
Expected responses may include:
Register FIR / Arrest someone / Rescue the child.
Call Sindh Social Protection Authority.
Take the child to the station.
Wait for senior orders.
Once responses are listed, ask:
“Which of these actions are about safety?”
“Which are about investigation?”
“Which involve other institutions?”
Then clearly state:
“Police roles in child protection are broader than investigation alone.”
Using one flip chart, draw three simple headings and explain each using policing language:
Ask: “How do police prevent harm before it becomes a crime?”
Examples: Patrols, community interaction, responding to information, early intervention.
Summary: Prevention means acting early when risk is visible, not waiting for harm to occur.
Ask: “When police first encounter a child at risk, what must come first?”
Key Actions: Ensuring safety, separating from danger, calm handling.
Summary: The first police responsibility is the child’s immediate safety. This includes removing them from danger and preventing intimidation or retaliation.
Ask: “Can police meet all a child’s needs on their own?”
Summary: Police identify risk, ensure safety, and trigger protection mechanisms. Investigation happens where an offence exists, but protection does not wait for it. Referral to child protection services is a police responsibility, not a failure.
Trainer Action Present this verbal scenario: “During patrol, police find a teenage girl begging on the street.” Ask the following one at a time:
“What is the first concern?” (Guide toward safety/protection, not the offence).
“Is this automatically a crime by the child?” (Allow responses, then clarify).
“What risks might this child be facing?” (Exploitation, trafficking, forced begging, abuse).
“What should police do first?” (Safety, calm interaction, separation from exploiters).
“What should police avoid doing?” (Arresting the child, harassment, unnecessary detention, handing the child back to unsafe adults).
Trainer Clarification:
Protection comes first.
Investigation follows where required.
Punishment is never the first step for a child.
Ask: “What police actions can increase harm if this situation is handled incorrectly?”
Responses: Ignoring the situation, blaming/judging the child, exposing the child’s identity, or delaying action.
State clearly:
“Wrong police action can increase risk instead of reducing it.”
Child protection is not separate from policing.
Police are often the first and most important responders.
Protection comes before punishment.
Professional policing protects both children and officers alike.