Child Act 2001 · Updated to 1 Jul 2023 · Part VI · Children in Need of Protection and Rehabilitation
41. Children in urgent need of protection
Feedback & supportAny child who is in urgent need of protection may on the application of the child or his parent or guardian be received by the Protector into a place of refuge if the Protector is satisfied that the child is in urgent need of protection.
guardian
“guardian”, in relation to a child, includes any person who, in the opinion of the Court For Children having cognizance of any case in relation to the child or in which the child is concerned, has for the time being the charge of or control over the child;
A child is in urgent need of protection if there is reasonable cause to believe that—
the child is being threatened or intimidated for purposes of prostitution or for purposes of having sexual intercourse with another or for any immoral purpose;
the child is to be confined or detained by another in contravention of this Part;
an offence against this Part is being or likely to be committed in respect of the child; or
if the child is a female, that she is pregnant out of wedlock.
Subject to subsections (4) and (5), and if circumstances warrant it, the person in charge of any place of refuge may, on an application made to him by the child or by the parent or guardian of the child, receive into the place of refuge any child who is in urgent need of protection.
place of refuge
“place of refuge” means any place of refuge established or appointed under section 55;
If the person in charge of a place of refuge receives any child under subsection (3), that child shall be brought before a
Protector within twenty-four hours of his admission into the place of refuge with a full report of the circumstances.
Protector
“Protector” means— (a) the Director General; (b) the Deputy Director General; (c) a Divisional Director of Social Welfare, Department of Social Welfare; (d); (e) any Social Welfare Officer appointed under section 8;
A child admitted under this section is permitted to reside in the place of refuge only so long as the Protector is satisfied that the child is in urgent need of protection under this section.
The Protector—
who receives a child under subsection (1); or
before whom a child is brought under subsection (4), shall immediately inform the Court For Children of such admission with a full report of the circumstances and shall in the like manner inform the Court of his departure.
The Protector may impose such conditions or give such directions as he thinks fit for the purpose of ensuring the safety and well-being of the child received or brought under this section, and such conditions or directions may include the following:
that the parent or guardian of the child accompanied by the child shall attend interactive workshops organized at designated centres established for such purpose;
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that the parent or guardian of the child shall visit the child on a regular basis as determined by the Protector;
or
that the parent or guardian of the child accompanied by the child shall attend counselling sessions conducted by a counsellor.