Module 2.4

2.4 Provincial Legal Framework Governing Child Protection in Sindh

The Government of Sindh has enacted a range of provincial laws to protect children and to guide the role of police officers in responding to child-related cases. As child protection, education, labour, and several welfare-related matters fall primarily within provincial responsibility, these laws provide the operational framework for police action within Sindh. Police officers should:

• Recognise which Sindh-specific law applies in a given child-related situation
• Apply relevant provincial provisions alongside national legislation 

2.4.1 Sindh Child Protection Authority Act, 2011

The Sindh Child Protection Authority Act, 2011 establishes the Sindh Child Protection Authority (SCPA) as the lead statutory body responsible for the protection of children at risk in Sindh.

The Act provides a comprehensive child protection framework, covering prevention, rescue, referral, rehabilitation and reintegration.

Who Is a “Child at Risk” under the Sindh Child Protection Authority Act, 2011

Under the Sindh Child Protection Authority Act, 2011, a “child at risk” refers to any child who is exposed to, or is likely to be exposed to, harm, abuse, neglect or exploitation, and who requires protection, care or intervention.

The Act recognises children at risk in the following situations:

• Physical, sexual or emotional abuse, including violence within the home, institutions or community
• Neglect, abandonment or lack of parental care, including children left without appropriate supervision
• Child labour and hazardous work, particularly where work is exploitative, harmful or interferes with education
• Trafficking, sale, abduction or illegal movement of children, whether within Sindh, across provinces or internationally
• Economic or sexual exploitation, including forced begging and use of children for profit or criminal activity
• Harmful practices, including child marriage and practices detrimental to a child’s health, dignity or development
• Children living or working on the streets, including street-connected and runaway children
• Institutional abuse or neglect, including abuse occurring in shelters, care institutions, madrassas or hostels

Mandate and Functions of SCPA

The Sindh Child Protection Authority is mandated to:

• Identify and respond to children at risk
• Conduct case management and needs assessment
• Coordinate rescue and protection operations
• Refer children to appropriate services and institutions
• Monitor child protection institutions and shelters
• Coordinate among provincial departments and stakeholders

• Role and Legal Obligations of Police under the SCPA Act

Police officers are legally required to:

1. Identify children at risk during patrols, raids, complaints or investigations
2. Inform and refer cases to SCPA promptly
3. Assist SCPA in rescue and protection operations, where required
4. Provide security and investigation support in child protection cases

Key Clarification for Police Officers

• A child does not need to be a victim of a crime to be considered a child at risk

• Child labour and child marriage are recognised risk situations, even if culturally accepted or unreported

• Children identified under this Act are children in need of care and protection, not offenders

2.4.2 Other Key Sindh Laws Applicable to Children

In addition to national laws, several Sindh-specific laws regulate how police must respond when children are exposed to particular risks. These laws apply within Sindh and guide police action in prevention, protection, FIR registration, referral and coordination.

• Sindh Children Act, 1955: Applies to children in need of care and protection as well as children in contact with or in conflict with the law within Sindh. This includes children who are neglected, abandoned, abused, destitute, without adequate parental care, or otherwise exposed to risk. The Act provides an early statutory framework for child protection and juvenile care in Sindh, including provisions relating to protective custody, remand and placement of children in notified institutions.
• Sindh Child Marriage Restraint Act, 2013: Applies to cases involving marriage of persons under 18 years of age. The Act criminalises child marriage and holds liable those who facilitate or solemnise it. 
• Sindh Domestic Violence (Prevention and Protection) Act, 2013: Applies where children are exposed to physical, emotional or psychological violence, neglect or abuse within the household. The Act recognises children as victims of domestic violence and requires police to respond promptly, prioritise child safety, and coordinate with protection mechanisms and shelters.
• Sindh Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act, 2015: Applies to situations of bonded or forced labour affecting children within Sindh, particularly in sectors such as brick kilns, agriculture, etc. Children found in bonded labour situations are victims of exploitation and coercion and must not be criminalised. 
• Sindh Prohibition of Employment of Children Act, 2017: Applies to situations where children are engaged in child labour or hazardous work within Sindh. The Act restricts the employment of children below prescribed ages and criminalises violations by employers and facilitators.