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A child in danger: Child Helpline 1098

Who to call and whom to tell when a child faces danger, abuse, child labour or a child marriage, and where to get free help.

About this guidePending verification

Published on 12-11-2026. Not every fact has been checked against its official source yet: confirm at the office.

Where:By phoneOnlineAt the office

For whom: Children in danger in Andhra Pradesh, their families, and anyone who wants to help them.

In an emergency, call at once

112Emergency helpline (police)1098Child Helpline: for children in distress, toll-free, day and night

1Your situation

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What is happening?
Has the marriage already taken place?

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      3Your steps

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      If something goes wrong
      1. Do this now

        If the child is in danger right now, call 112.

        Where
        By phone

        Sources: 9, 10

      2. Do this now

        For any child in difficulty, call 1098.

        It is free and works day and night. A child can also call it themselves.

        Where
        By phone

        Sources: 6, 7

      3. Do this now

        A call to 1098 goes to the state's Women and Child Development control room.

        In an emergency they pass it to 112; otherwise to the Child Helpline unit at your District Child Protection Unit (DCPU), which links the child to emergency help and then to longer-term care.

        Where
        You do this yourself

        Sources: 6, 7

      4. Do this now

        The AP Police Shakthi team works on the safety of women and children.

        You can call 112, or send a message to Shakthi WhatsApp on 7993485111.

        Where
        Shakthi WhatsApp (AP Police)
        Open the official page
        Not confirmed

        We read this page's address in the AP Police portal's own script. The address answered on 11 November 2026; we did not see what the page shows.

        Sources: 11, 9

      5. Do this now

        The POCSO Act says anyone who knows that a sexual offence against a child has happened, or fears it may happen, must tell the police: the local police station or the Special Juvenile Police Unit (SJPU).

        Not telling them is an offence; this punishment does not apply to a child. If you tell 1098, the helpline must pass it to the police at once.

        Where
        Local police station or Special Juvenile Police Unit (SJPU)

        Sources: 1, 2

      6. Do this now

        Anyone who gives this information in good faith faces no civil or criminal liability for it.

        Where
        You do this yourself

        Sources: 1

      7. Do this now

        The police must write your report down, give it an entry number and read it back to you.

        If a child gives the report, it must be written in simple language the child understands. The officer who takes it must tell you their name, designation, address and phone number, and the details of their supervising officer. You get a copy of the FIR free of cost.

        Where
        Police station

        Sources: 1, 2

      8. Do this now

        If the child needs urgent medical care, take them to the nearest hospital; the police too must take the child there within 24 hours.

        No hospital may ask for police or court papers before giving emergency care.

        Where
        The nearest hospital

        Sources: 2

      9. Do this now

        In a POCSO case the medical examination is done even if no FIR has been registered yet.

        For a girl it must be done by a woman doctor. A parent, or someone the child trusts, is present during it.

        Where
        The hospital

        Sources: 1

      10. Do this now

        The child's statement is taken at the child's home or at a place the child chooses, as far as possible by a woman police officer of at least sub-inspector rank.

        The officer must not be in uniform. No child may be kept at a police station at night for any reason. While the police question the child, they must make sure the child does not come into contact with the accused at any time.

        Where
        You do this yourself

        Sources: 1

      11. Do this now

        If the person suspected lives in the same household as the child, the police must bring the child before the Child Welfare Committee (CWC) within 24 hours.

        The Committee decides within 3 days whether the child should be moved out of the home, and takes the child's own view into account.

        Where
        District Child Welfare Committee (CWC)

        Sources: 2

      12. Do this now

        No media report may reveal the child's identity: name, address, photograph, family details, school, neighbourhood or anything else that would identify the child.

        Where
        You do this yourself

        Sources: 1

      13. Do this now

        The child's family has the right to a lawyer of their choice.

        If they cannot afford one, the Legal Services Authority provides a lawyer; the Child Welfare Committee also recommends legal aid to the District Legal Services Authority.

        Where
        District Legal Services Authority

        Sources: 1, 2

      14. Do this now

        If you receive or come across sexual images or videos involving a child, report them to the police or on the cybercrime.gov.in portal.

        Give the details of the device it was seen on, the device it came from, and the app or site where it appeared.

        Where
        National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal
        Open the official page

        Sources: 2

      15. Do this now

        When the person a child lives with injures, abuses, exploits, neglects or threatens the child, the law treats the child as a "child in need of care and protection".

        Anyone can bring such a child before the district Child Welfare Committee (CWC); the child can also go on their own. The child must be brought within 24 hours, not counting travel time.

        Where
        District Child Welfare Committee (CWC)
        Time limit
        Within 24 hours, not counting travel time
        Not confirmed

        The official pages we read do not give the address or phone number of your district's Child Welfare Committee or District Child Protection Unit (DCPU) in Andhra Pradesh (the Women Development and Child Welfare website did not open). Ask 1098.

        Sources: 3

      16. Do this now

        A child who is working against the labour laws, begging or living on the street is also, in law, a "child in need of care and protection".

        The child helpline, the police, a labour inspector or any citizen can bring the child before the district Child Welfare Committee (CWC) within 24 hours.

        Where
        District Child Welfare Committee (CWC)
        Time limit
        Within 24 hours, not counting travel time
        Not confirmed

        The official pages we read do not give the address or phone number of your district's Child Welfare Committee or District Child Protection Unit (DCPU) in Andhra Pradesh (the Women Development and Child Welfare website did not open). Ask 1098.

        Sources: 3

      17. Do this now

        At the police station, ask for the officer who deals with children (the Child Welfare Police Officer).

        The law provides that every police station may designate an officer of at least assistant sub-inspector rank for this.

        Where
        Police station

        Sources: 3

      18. Do this now

        In law, a marriage is a child marriage if the girl is under 18 or the boy is under 21.

        Where
        You do this yourself

        Sources: 4

      19. Do this now

        If you know a child marriage is about to happen, tell 1098 or 112 at once.

        Where
        By phone

        Sources: 7, 10

      20. Do this now

        Stopping child marriages is the duty of the Child Marriage Prohibition Officer (CMPO).

        Under the Andhra Pradesh rules the District Collector is the district CMPO; the RDO or Sub-Collector, the ICDS project officer (CDPO), the Tahsildar, the ICDS Supervisor and, in the village, the Panchayat Secretary are CMPOs too. Whether you tell them by letter, phone or e-mail, the officer must act at once and must keep your name confidential.

        Where
        Child Marriage Prohibition Officer (CMPO): the Tahsildar's office, the ICDS project office or the village Panchayat Secretary
        Not confirmed

        This list of officers is from the 2012 rules (G.O.Ms.No.13). The official pages we read do not say whether Andhra Pradesh has changed it since (the Women Development and Child Welfare website did not open). Ask at the Tahsildar's office or on 1098 who the CMPO is for your village.

        Sources: 4, 12

      21. Do this now

        Anyone who knows a child marriage is being arranged can complain to a Judicial Magistrate of the first class (in cities, a Metropolitan Magistrate).

        The Magistrate issues an order (an injunction) forbidding the marriage; in an urgent case an interim order can be given without notice. A marriage held against that order is void from the start.

        Where
        Court of the Judicial Magistrate of the first class or the Metropolitan Magistrate

        Sources: 4

      22. Do this now

        A child at risk of being married before the legal age is also, in law, a "child in need of care and protection".

        Anyone can bring the child before the district Child Welfare Committee (CWC) within 24 hours.

        Where
        District Child Welfare Committee (CWC)
        Time limit
        Within 24 hours, not counting travel time
        Not confirmed

        The official pages we read do not give the address or phone number of your district's Child Welfare Committee or District Child Protection Unit (DCPU) in Andhra Pradesh (the Women Development and Child Welfare website did not open). Ask 1098.

        Sources: 3

      23. Do this now

        A child marriage that has taken place is still an offence, and one the police can act on.

        The law punishes a man over 18 who enters into a child marriage, those who conduct the marriage, and parents or others in charge of the child who promote or allow it. You can tell the police (112) or 1098.

        Where
        By phone

        Sources: 4, 10

      24. Do this now

        Only the person who was a child at the time of the marriage can ask the district court (the Family Court, where there is one) to annul it.

        If they are still a minor, the petition is filed through a guardian or next friend together with the CMPO. It can be filed at any time before two years have passed since they came of age. If the child was taken from their guardian, forced or tricked into going, or sold for the marriage, the law says the marriage is void.

        Where
        District court (the Family Court, where there is one)

        Sources: 4

      25. Do this now

        If you find, take charge of or are handed a child who seems lost or abandoned (or an orphan with no family support), you must within 24 hours, not counting travel time, tell 1098, the nearest police station, the Child Welfare Committee or the District Child Protection Unit (DCPU), or hand the child to a registered child care institution.

        Not doing so is an offence.

        Where
        By phone
        Time limit
        Within 24 hours, not counting travel time

        Sources: 3

      26. Do this now

        A child (under 18) is entitled to free legal help.

        Contact your District Legal Services Authority, or call 15100.

        Where
        District Legal Services Authority (Andhra Pradesh State Legal Services Authority)
        Fee
        Free

        Sources: 8, 13

      If something goes wrong

      If it is rejectedIf the police do not record your report in writing: the law says failing to record a POCSO report is itself an offence.

      If the police do not record your report in writing: the law says failing to record a POCSO report is itself an offence. You can send the report in writing, by post, to the Superintendent of Police; if nothing is done, you can then apply to the Magistrate. For free legal help, contact the District Legal Services Authority (15100).

      District Legal Services Authority (Andhra Pradesh) · Open the official page

      Sources: 1, 5, 13

      AlsoIf a hospital asks for police or court papers before giving emergency care, you can tell them the rules do not allow this.

      If a hospital asks for police or court papers before giving emergency care, you can tell them the rules do not allow this. Call 112 and tell them: the police must arrange emergency medical care for the child.

      Emergency Helpline 112 (AP Police)

      Sources: 2, 9

      Official websites for this work

      All official websites →
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      Related guides

      Report a mistake on this page
      The 13 official pages and papers this guide is written from
      1. The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 (No. 32 of 2012)Ministry of Women and Child Development, Government of India (Gazette of India, Extraordinary, Part II, Section 1, No. 34), Sections 19(1), 19(2), 19(7), 21(1) and 21(3), 23(2), 24(1)-(4), 27(1)-(3), 40 (20-06-2012) · read on 11-11-2026
      2. G.S.R. 165(E): The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Rules, 2020Ministry of Women and Child Development, Government of India (Gazette of India, Extraordinary, Part II, Section 3(i)), Rules 4(1), 4(2), 4(3)(a)-(b), 4(4)-(6), 6(1) and 6(3), 7, 11(1) and 11(3); Form-A (09-03-2020) · read on 11-11-2026
      3. The Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015 (No. 2 of 2016)Ministry of Women and Child Development, Government of India (Gazette of India, Extraordinary, Part II, Section 1), Sections 2(14)(ii), (iii) and (xii), 27(1), 31(1) and its proviso, 32(1), 33, 107(1) (01-01-2016) · read on 31-10-2026
      4. The Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006 (No. 6 of 2007)Ministry of Law and Justice (Legislative Department), Government of India (Gazette of India, Extraordinary, Part II, Section 1, No. 6), published by the Ministry of Women and Child Development, Sections 2(a), 2(b) and 2(e), 3(1)-(3), 9, 10, 11(1), 12, 13(1), 13(2) and 13(6), 14, 15, 16(1) and 16(3)(a) (11-01-2007) · read on 11-11-2026
      5. The Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (No. 46 of 2023)Ministry of Law and Justice (Legislative Department), Government of India (Gazette of India, Extraordinary, Part II, Section 1, No. 54), Section 173(4) (25-12-2023) · read on 11-11-2026
      6. Child Helpline 1098Ministry of Women and Child Development, Government of India, Brief; FAQ "What is benefits of Child Helpline 1098?" (a)-(b); header "Child Helpline Toll free No. - 1098" · read on 31-10-2026
      7. Standard Operating Procedures (SoPs) for Child Helpline Services under Mission Vatsalya Scheme (with D.O. No. CW-II-22/42/2022-CW-II of 31 March 2023)Ministry of Women and Child Development, Government of India, Introduction ("national toll free 24x7 helpline number"); 3.5 Call Classification (child marriage, child labour, protection from abuse as emergency calls); WCD Control Room ("A Child can seek help using ... Dial 1098"; transfer to 112 or the CHL unit at the DCPU) (31-03-2023) · read on 31-10-2026
      8. Legal AidNational Legal Services Authority, "Who are Entitled to Free Legal Services?" (Section 12 of the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987: "A woman or a child"); "Till what age can a child apply for free legal aid?" · read on 31-10-2026
      9. AP Police citizen portalAndhra Pradesh Police, Page header "Emergency Helpline 112" (te "అత్యవసర హెల్ప్‌లైన్ 112"; text served from /i18n/en.json and /i18n/te.json, key header.emergencyHelpline) · read on 31-10-2026
      10. Shakthi HelplinesAndhra Pradesh Police, Helpline list in the portal's main script (Police 112; Child Helpline 1098); labels womenSafety.helplines.* in /i18n/en.json and /i18n/te.json · read on 31-10-2026
      11. Shakthi WhatsAppAndhra Pradesh Police, WhatsApp link wa.me/917993485111 in the portal's main script; "Connect with AP Police directly through WhatsApp"; menu "Report women and child safety complaints"; article "Shakthi Women & Child Safety" (emergency response, counselling referrals and police assistance for women and children) · read on 31-10-2026
      12. G.O.Ms.No.13 of 19 March 2012: the Andhra Pradesh Prohibition of Child Marriages Rules, 2012Department for Women, Children, Disabled and Senior Citizens, Government of Andhra Pradesh (Andhra Pradesh Gazette, Rules Supplement, Extraordinary), in the Ministry of Women and Child Development's compilation of state rules, PDF pages 6-13: "Appointment of Child Marriage Prohibition Officers" (District Collector as District CMPO; RDO or Sub-Collector; CDPOs; Tahsildars; ICDS Supervisors; Panchayat Secretaries and Village Administrative Officers) and "Duties of the Child Marriage Prohibition Officers" (act at once on information received in writing or orally, by letter, telegram, phone, e-mail or any other means, keeping the informant confidential) (19-03-2012) · read on 31-10-2026
      13. Homepage | Andhra Pradesh State Legal Services Authority (APSLSA)Andhra Pradesh State Legal Services Authority, "About APSLSA" (free legal aid; 13 District Legal Services Authorities and 145 Mandal Legal Services Committees); header link "NALSA Helpline Number 15100 Portal" · read on 31-10-2026