Gurgaon: Is this a police station or a crèche? Maybe both!
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Gurgaon: Is this a police station or a crèche? Maybe both!

The women’s police station in Sector 51 now has a two-room ‘Phulwari’, replete with toys, books, games and art stationery, to provide a non-threatening space to kids coming there.

Gurgaon: Is this a police station or a crèche? Maybe both! Divya Vaishnava, founder of BUD Foundation, at Phulwari

Kids need a special place to feel safe and comfortable, right? So why should a police station be any different? The women’s police station in Sector 51, Gurgaon, now has a two-room "Phulwari", with toys, books, games and art stationery, to provide a comfortable space to children coming there.

Conceptualised and created by Gurgaon-based NGO BUD Foundation, the idea is to keep children away from the ugly scenes that unfold at a police station.

The air-conditioned Phulwari has a separate entry, and the outside walls have been painted with flowers to add a vibrant feel to it.

 

 

Divya Vaishnava, founder of BUD Foundation and a trained social worker, said, “Phulwari was created to provide a safe, friendly and non-threatening space to children coming to the police station. These children could be victims of sexual abuse; they could be caught in ugly marital battles between parents; or they could be vulnerable children needing protection — basically, any child visiting the police station.”

She further added, “A child's trauma can get aggravated by stepping into a threatening and unfriendly space. Protection of Children From Sexual Offences Act (POCSO) mandates child-friendly procedures when dealing with a child victim. And Phulwari serves an important role in fulfilling that requirement.”

In case the children want to sleep or take rest, they can do so during the day, as one room has been provided with cots. There is a separate washroom too.

Speaking on the initiative, inspector Kailash Devi said, “While women register their complaints and talk to us, we keep the children in Fulwari. At times, couples fight bitterly at the police station. We want to keep the children away from all this.”

She added, “In case things take long, children are also given something to eat and are looked after by two constables in civil clothes.”