Since the establishment of protection services in June 2023, the PEMA Secretariat has handled more than a thousand child protection cases. The secretariat ensures that services are activated within 5 hours for severe cases and within 24 hours for all others.
Child protection services in Bhutan have become faster and more responsive. Today, cases are now immediately referred to the PEMA Secretariat, ensuring children receive support within 24 hours, which is an improvement from the days when help could take several days to arrive.
So far, the secretariat has handled nearly 1,900 cases, of which almost 59 per cent involved children. According to the secretariat, reports have been steadily increasing from frontline workers, health centres, police, local governments, and communities. The secretariat says this reflects growing public awareness and willingness to seek help.
Among the cases, over 420 involved children in conflict with the law, with battery, burglary, and drug use among the most common offences.
And more than 370 cases were related to violence against children, including sexual, physical, and emotional abuse. Thimphu recorded the highest number of such cases, followed by Samtse, Sarpang, Paro, and Chhukha.
Thimphu also reported the highest number of cases of children in conflict with the law.
The secretariat also handled more than 100 child adoption-related cases and over 200 other cases.
When a case is reported, the secretariat prioritises the child’s safety and well-being. Physical and emotional safety are ensured first, with medical emergencies addressed immediately. Psychological first aid follows, along with an assessment of the child, family, and environment.
Children are linked to medical, counselling, and shelter services, with shelter as a last resort. The secretariat also provides options such as school relocation, and family reintegration programmes help ensure safety and proper care. Cases involving criminal activity are connected to legal aid services as well.
The PEMA Secretariat provides 24/7 support through the 1098 helpline, email and online chat. Its rapid response system also works closely with the police, schools, and CSOs to ensure children receive timely protection and assistance. And currently, the secretariat has 12 protection officers, providing services to cases across all districts.
Since its inauguration in November last year, the PEMA Home has provided interim shelter to 12 children and mothers, of whom five have been successfully reintegrated with their families.
The secretariat is strengthening child protection services across all districts and embedding prevention measures into every agency’s plans, aiming to build a robust childcare ecosystem nationwide. It calls on everyone to take collective responsibility to ensure that every child in the country can grow, learn, and thrive in safety and dignity.
Kinzang Lhadon
Edited by Kipchu
