For clarity and consistency, the following terms are used throughout the Manual:
Child: Any person under the age of 18 years. This definition is consistent with national legal frameworks, including the Sindh Child Protection Authority Act and the Juvenile Justice System Act 2018, as well as international standards such as the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC).
Child in need of protection: A child who is at risk of, or has experienced, violence, abuse, neglect or exploitation, and requires immediate or ongoing protective measures.
Child victim: A child who has suffered physical, emotional or psychological harm, or economic loss, as a result of a crime or harmful act.
Child witness: A child who provides, or is able to provide, testimony or information about a crime, event or incident.
Child in conflict with the law: A child who is alleged, accused or recognised as having committed an offence under the law.
Child in contact with the law: A broader term covering any child who comes into contact with the justice system – as victim, witness, child in need of protection, or child in conflict with the law.
Diversion: Measures that allow a child alleged or accused of an offence to be dealt with without resorting to formal judicial proceedings with a focus on rehabilitation and reintegration. Diversion is recognised under Sections 9 and 10 of the Juvenile Justice System Act 2018, which provide for the disposal of certain cases involving children outside the formal court process through Juvenile Justice Committees.
Rehabilitation and reintegration: Measures aimed at enabling a child victim or child in conflict with the law to recover, resume education, rebuild relationships, and become a constructive member of society.
Best interests of the child: The standard used to determine which action or decision will most effectively protect a child’s rights, safety, well-being and development. This principle is derived from Article 3 of the UNCRC, which provides that “the best interests of the child shall be a primary consideration in all actions concerning children undertaken by public or private social welfare institutions, courts of law, administrative authorities or legislative bodies.”