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Protecting Adolescents: IIM Indore Leads the Way

  • Addressing the pressing issue of missing minors, IIM Indore submits a comprehensive recommendation report to the Indore Police Commissionerate.
  • IIMI outlines actionable strategies and measures aimed at safeguarding vulnerable adolescents in the region

In a ground-breaking initiative to safeguard the vulnerable adolescents of Indore, the Indian Institute of Management Indore (IIM Indore) has emerged as a beacon of hope with its pioneering efforts in addressing the alarming issue of missing minors. Collaborating hand in hand with the Indore Police Commissionerate of Madhya Pradesh Police, IIM Indore signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) last year to collectively combat the pressing concern of missing minors in the region. The MoU, signed by IIM Indore’s Director, Prof. Himanshu Rai, and the Police Commissioner, Mr. Makarand Deouskar, IPS, in July 2023, marked a pivotal moment in the journey towards a safer and more secure Indore. IIM Indore team, led by Prof. Rai, along with Prof. Shruti Tewari, Prof. Shivani Sharma, and Mr. Naveen Krishna Rai, submitted the recommendation report on February 03, 2024.

Prof. Rai emphasized the urgent need to understand the root causes behind the disappearance of minors. ‘Over 70 thousand children go missing in India every year, and a big proportion of them are girls. We wanted to know what causes them to disappear, both from the perspective of the minors themselves and the investigators’, he stated. ‘Additionally, we aimed to develop ways to help missing minors and their families recover and heal emotionally after they are found. We wanted to create educational materials to prevent more minors from going missing in the future,’ he added.

Mr. Makarand Deouskar expressed profound gratitude towards IIM Indore for their invaluable collaboration in addressing the critical issue of missing minors. ‘The research by IIM Indore has proved instrumental in understanding the complexities surrounding missing minors and devising effective preventive measures’, he said. These recommendations will enable us to develop an efficient and robust framework to enhance the social and institutional systems in place.’

The research embarked on a comprehensive exploration in three distinct phases. The archival analysis spanning the past five years laid the groundwork, followed by a diagnostic analysis delving deep into 70+ case studies, semi-structured interviews with police officers, and in-depth victim studies. The findings that emerged from this rigorous investigation illuminated the grim reality of missing minor cases, particularly spotlighting the plight of adolescent girls aged 13-17 from marginalized socio-economic backgrounds.

IIM Indore team crafted a set of transformative recommendations aimed at protecting adolescents in Indore. For the Indore Police, the team has advocated for the establishment of a central communication channel and transport facility to expedite the recovery process, emphasizing the importance of a coordinated approach at the district or state level. ‘Implementation of a reward-based incentive system to recognize and motivate investigating officers, particularly those who successfully recover a significant number of missing children within a specified time-frame could also be encouraging’, said Prof. Rai. Moreover, specialized teams for the prevention and policing of crimes against minors were proposed to enhance the efficacy of law enforcement efforts in safeguarding vulnerable individuals.

To generate awareness and promote proactive measures, the IIM Indore team has recommended various strategies under the Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) initiative. This includes the development of case studies with teaching notes to highlight psycho-social triggers and their impact, facilitating reflective discussions among potential victims, accused individuals, and their families. ‘Targeting risk-prone locations for intensive IEC training campaigns, leveraging social media platforms for short video awareness campaigns, and installing visually appealing messages with action-oriented taglines in urban slum areas and prone locations to raise awareness about the consequences of minors’ disappearance and the importance of prompt reporting to the authorities is also recommended’, said Prof. Rai.

In terms of rehabilitation efforts, the IIM Indore team has emphasized the critical role of parenting and mentoring in the well-being of adolescents aged 13-17. Recommendations include the initiation of family counseling cells through the collaboration of Self-Help Groups (SHGs) or Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) catering to the lower socio-economic strata.

IIM Indore is committed to societal welfare, and with this report, the institute emerges as a formidable force in the mission to protect and empower adolescents, paving the way for a brighter and safer future for generations to come.