The Goa State Commission for Protection of Child Rights has issued a public advisory regarding the alarming rise in unlawful adoption practices within the state.
The Goa State Commission for Protection of Child Rights has identified a concerning trend within Goa, especially in South Goa, where childless couples are involved in unauthorised adoption practices, posing significant risks to the well being of vulnerable children.
Unlawful adoption practices present a substantial challenge, involving the bypassing of established legal procedures. This unethical trend, often driven by childless couples using unauthorised methods, undermines the legal safeguards meant to protect both children and adopting families.
The associated risks go beyond immediate consequences, exposing vulnerable children to potential exploitation through deceptive means. This not only endangers their well-being but also poses a threat to community integrity, with profound implications for trust in legal adoption processes.
GSCPCR has stated that Adoption procedures in India are guided by specific laws to ensure a regulated and secure process. The Hindu Adoption and Maintenance Act, 1956 (HAMA), and the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015 are the primary regulations overseeing adoption. The system experienced a significant change in 2015 with the introduction of the Child Adoption Resource Information and Guidance System (CARINGS), streamlining the entire adoption process.
According to these laws, not all abandoned or orphaned children automatically qualify for adoption. Initially presented before the district child welfare committee, these children are placed in childcare institutions under the Juvenile Justice Act. If attempts to reunite them with family fail, the child welfare committee deems them legally available for adoption.
The district child protection unit then connects these children with an adoption agency, officially registering their details with CARA. Before matching them with prospective parents, CARA conducts a thorough medical examination and a home study. The district magistrate reviews the adoption request before making the final decision.
GSCPCR has urged childless couples to strictly follow legal adoption procedures, collaborating with reputable adoption agencies to ensure the safety and well-being of both the children and adoptive parents.
It is also advised to Report any information or witness accounts of suspicious adoption activities immediately to law enforcement agencies or child protection agencies, such as the Child Welfare Committee and District Child Protection Unit. Vigilance is crucial in protecting vulnerable children.
Childless couples considering adoption can seek guidance from Matruchaya in Ponda (South Goa), Caritas Goa in North Goa, and the District Child Protection Unit in both North and South Goa for assistance with the adoption process.
