Protecting Childhood: DAF’s Campaign Against Child Abuse, Cybercrime, and Addiction

Digital revolution has brought the world closer, but it also poses a risk for children. Unsupervised exposure to the rapidly digitizing and evolving world has given rise to incidents of child abuse, cybercrime, and addiction both online and offline. These challenges need immediate and sustained intervention, and hence, recognizing this critical need, the Debabrata Auro Foundation has launched an impactful campaign that prioritizes protecting childhood by compassionately addressing the intertwined issues at the grassroots level. 

Protecting childhood: The urgent need

Children and teenagers are the most vulnerable to harassment. Their physical, emotional, and psychological development is enough to always understand the ways of the world. Abuse, addiction, or online exploitation leave a long-lasting and deep impact on their minds.

With its fast-rising population, the incidents of child abuse in India are also on a steady rise. This includes child abuse, cyberbullying, online grooming, and substance use among school going children and teenagers. Stigma, lack of awareness, or fear of consequences often prevents them from reporting the crime, and they often develop a feeling that it was all their fault, leading to a lifetime of guilt, emotional trauma, low self-worth, and unaddressed psychological distress that can affect their personal, academic, and social development.

With schools, parents, communities, and families struggling to cope, the best NGO in India, DAF, has stepped in with a well-developed holistic child protection initiatives that are helping 100s of children address the problems through awareness, education, intervention, and advocacy.

DAF’s multi-faceted campaign approach

The Protecting Childhood Campaign addresses three main issues that are plaguing society today.

• Child abuse
• Cybercrimes against children
• Preventing addiction

Through strategic programs, field interventions, and collaborations, one of the best NGOs in India, the DAF, is working with local authorities, educators, psychologists, and community stakeholders to serve as a beacon of hope for hundreds of children through education, awareness, and empowerment.

Recognized as the best NGO in Mumbai, DAF has left a profound mark on thousands of lives across Mumbai and its neighbouring rural areas. DAF’s continuous efforts span key social issues such as child abuse prevention, cybercrime awareness, intoxication dangers, and educational empowerment -building a safer and more informed society.

Reaching every corner: Locations of impact

DAF’s outreach to protect childhood spans over several strategic locations across Mumbai including Bhagat Singh Nagar (Goregaon), Nehru Nagar MPS School (Kanjurmarg East), Gurugovind Mumbai Public School (Mulund), Gurunanak MPS School (Mulund), Vesawa Marathi Medium School (Andheri West), Andheri Slum Community, Govandi MPS School, Unit 13 (Aarey Colony), Shindewadi School (Wadala), and Vanicha Pada tribal village making it one of the few genuine NGOs in Mumbai who working with children outreach at this scale. Top NGO in India, DAF tailors its programs to meet the unique needs of each community – from digital illiteracy and child abuse to lack of access to educational materials.

Impact so far

DAF’s child protection campaign has already made significant strides by reaching children across many schools. With each child educated and each parent informed, DAF is slowly inching towards its goal of a safer and healthier childhood for all.

At the top NGO in Mumbai, the Debabrata Auro Foundation has partnered with local schools, Anganwadi centres, local law enforcement, and healthcare workers to build community-based safety nets. They are not only providing the children with education about rights and safety but also teaching them the ways they can avoid abuse, cybercrime, and addiction.

What makes this model more impactful and scalable is that the sessions are conducted in regional languages and are sensitive to cultural regulations.

Early Childhood Education Projects: Building Foundations

Nehru Nagar MPS School, Kanjurmarg (22/12/2023)

• Children empowerment project in collaboration with TajSATS.
• Distribution of 85 stationary kits and snacks to nursery children
• Aim was to promote essential childhood development through community care and availability of essential school supplies

Vanicha Pada Tribal Village (28/07/2023)

• DAF conducted teaching sessions at the local Anganwadi.
• Attended by 40 trial children
• Sessions included interactive learning through visual aids and using “All-in-One” educational books sponsored by Lion Gopal Bajaj and the event was supported by Vivek Trivedi.

Gurugovind Mumbai Public School, Mulund (02/02/2024)

• Nursery rhyme book distribution to 31 children
• Conducted an engaging teaching session including rhyme recitation, storytelling, and educational games
• Biscuits were distributed to children as a snack to maintain energy and enthusiasm.
• Event highlights DAF’s care for both cognitive and physical well being

Confronting Social Issues: Child Abuse Awareness

Vesawa Marathi Medium School, Andheri West (31/08/2024)

• Child Abuse Awareness Session to educate the children about various forms of abuse, signs to watch for, and the importance of identifying a safe environment.
• Interactive session including Q&A segment
• Distribution of child safety educational materials

Unit 13, Aarey Colony (20/07/2024)

• Attended by 50 children
• Included interactive learning and candid discussion
• Conducted a session about ways to report abuse and self -protection
• Distributed A4-sized notebooks to participants

Navigating the Digital Age: Cybercrime Awareness Drives

Vesawa Marathi Medium School, Andheri West (31/08/2024)

• Focus on topics such as online bullying, identity theft, and phishing
• Conducted a detailed session about password safety, safe browsing practices, and reporting suspicious activity online
• It was an open format discussion where children were encouraged to ask questions and clarify their concerns

Andheri Slum Community (14/07/2024)

• Attended by 50 children and young adults
• The session included real-life examples, hands-on activities and Q&A session to make the learning more tangible
• Distributed notebooks to all participants to reinforce the NGO’s commitment to digital and educational empowerment

Tackling Addiction Through Awareness

Govandi MPS School (13/08/2024)

• Detailed Intoxication Awareness Session
• Education on physical, mental, and social consequences of addiction
• Explained the importance of seeking timely help
• Long books were distributed to all attendees

Gurunanak MPS School, Mulund (20/02/2024)

• 100 students participated
• Included dangers of addiction and importance of making healthy life choices
• Distributed notebooks as a symbol of positive growth

Shindewadi School, Wadala (16/06/2023)

• This is one of the earliest intoxication awareness events
• The interactive sessions included causes and consequences of intoxication
• Distributed sixty notebooks to students

Conclusion: Commitment to a future worth building

With its dedicated child protection campaigns, the Debabrata Auro Foundation is transforming the lives of children and young adults through awareness, education, and compassion and creating a future where every child feels safe, valued, and heard. This foundation is not only addressing the deeply rooted social issues and simultaneously nurturing educational progress, laying the foundation for a healthier, more compassionate society. The journey continues, and so does the impact.