Exercise Sheet: “Is This a Child Protection Situation?”
Instructions for Participants
Read each situation carefully.
Tick YES if you believe it requires child protection attention by police, or NO if it does not.
| No. | Situation | YES | NO |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | A 13-year-old child begging at a traffic signal late at night. | ☐ | ☐ |
| 2 | A 16-year-old boy playing cricket with friends in a neighbourhood street. | ☐ | ☐ |
| 3 | A 15-year-old girl who has been married and is living with her husband. | ☐ | ☐ |
| 4 | A 12-year-old child found wandering alone at a railway station. | ☐ | ☐ |
| 5 | A 17-year-old student attending college and returning home from classes. | ☐ | ☐ |
| 6 | A 14-year-old domestic worker employed in a private house. | ☐ | ☐ |
| 7 | A 10-year-old child who appears injured and frightened while walking on the street. | ☐ | ☐ |
| 8 | A child seen working late at night in a roadside restaurant. | ☐ | ☐ |
| 9 | A 16-year-old boy travelling with his parents on a bus. | ☐ | ☐ |
| 10 | A child regularly seen collecting garbage at a dumping site. | ☐ | ☐ |
| 11 | A child attending school and returning home with classmates. | ☐ | ☐ |
| 12 | A neighbour reports that a child is frequently beaten at home. | ☐ | ☐ |
| 13 | A 17-year-old girl crying outside a police station but refusing to explain why. | ☐ | ☐ |
| 14 | A child living on the street with no adult supervision. | ☐ | ☐ |
| 15 | A child helping parents at a family shop for a short time after school. | ☐ | ☐ |
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Trainer Answer Guide (Do NOT give to participants)
Likely responses:
Child Protection Situation (YES)
1, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 10, 12, 13, 14
Not necessarily a protection issue (NO)
2, 5, 9, 11, 15
However, trainers can emphasise:
Some situations may still require situational judgement, but they do not automatically indicate harm.
Trainer Key Message
Child protection concerns arise when:
• A child may be unsafe
• A child may be abused, neglected or exploited
• A child may be without proper care or protection
Police must learn to identify risk, not only crime.
