#MakeHomeASafeSpace

The pandemic has led to a surge in sexual violence, exploitation and abuse against children. #MakeHomeASafeSpace is SAKSHI's effort towards creating sustainable engagement and making children feel safe in their own homes. NSS volunteers are trained as Rakshins Pan-India to protect, prevent and create awareness in the local communities to make home a safe space for children to grow. SAKSHI aims to reach 4 million youth every two years in various geographies through their virtual campaigns. a donation of ₹1,000 will build the capacities of 1 youth in the fight to end violence against children.

This COVID-19 period has seen an emergence of a Shadow Pandemic including a surge in demand for violent child pornography by 200% as per ICPF, sexual violence has spiked by 7.3% since 2018 as per the NCRB report. There has been an unprecedented rise in domestic violence, child sexual abuse and online sexual exploitation. Statistics before the pandemic say that 53% Children in India are Survivors of Child Sexual Abuse and 90% of these cases happen within known and trusted circles, mostly within the family. Unaddressed Trauma leads to Behavioural Problems & 40% Loss in Productivity. Child Sexual Abuse alone, has a 2-8% Impact on Global GDP.

While we say "Stay at Home and Stay Safe", it is critical to note that home is not a safe space for nearly half the children in our country.

Through a Systemic Intervention with the NSS (National Service Scheme) Volunteers, across 40,000 Colleges Pan-India, the project is working to build the capacity of 18-22 year olds in various geographies across India, to interrupt the cycle of violence against children within their family and community.

Designed with a 360º Communication for Development Strategy and a Human-Rights Based Approach. The project, complete with an online campaign to #MakeHomeASafeSpace aims at equipping the message receivers to become the message carriers within the community.

The 3 Pillars of the Programme Include:

1. Foundation Workshop: An awareness session on Rights & Responsibilities for Gender Equality. The Workshop covers 5 Critical Messages : Equality, Consent, The Law, Barriers & Creating Safe Spaces
2. Resolution Mechanisms: If any of the students have been subjected personally, they will be offered free-of-cost tools to resolve the deep-seated trauma through Creative Expressions, Online Counselling and Legal Aid - so that they can process and resolve their own trauma before helping others.
3. Fellowship Programme: A 5 Level, 18 Module & 12 Certificate Fellowship Programme - including critical skills like Dialogue, Conflict Resolution and Negotiation has been designed to ensure Sustained Capacity Building for 2 Years. The Student will be skill-built to become the message carrier and further educate their peers and community.

With workshops and sustained engagement in 40,000 Colleges with 4 Million Youth every two years, the idea is to create a scalable and sustainable intervention capable of creating a Social Tipping Point in the country.

NSS Volunteers will be capacity built to recognise and prevent sexual violence with a focus on child sexual abuse. They will be guided towards mechanisms to resolve their personal experiences if any, and access Systems of Redress in order to strengthen prohibition. The Five Levels of Rakshin Fellows offered over the Two-Year Sustained Engagement, will prepare students for a work culture with a focus on Gender Equality, Diversity And Inclusion.

The expected outcome is :

1. A Generation of Equals empowered with Gender Equality Education & Rights based Language
2. A Generation that is Mentally Healthy and Sexually Responsible.
3. A Secure Environment that Prevents Sexual Violence