Odisha Police Launch Statewide Adolescent Outreach Programme Under ‘JUVENTICA’

Bhubaneswar: Odisha Police, in collaboration with the Department of Women & Child Development and UNICEF, organised a first-of-its-kind statewide adolescent engagement programme across all 578 civil police stations under the initiative titled ‘JUVENTICA – CWPO Outreach with Adolescents’.

The initiative aims to create child-friendly and accessible policing spaces while encouraging open conversations on issues affecting adolescents, particularly challenges emerging in digital spaces.

Inspired by Infantia, a national dialogue focused on ensuring safe digital environments for children, the programme highlighted the importance of creating online spaces where young people can participate safely, confidently, and with dignity.

As part of the outreach effort, adolescents interacted directly with Child Welfare Police Officers (CWPOs), police personnel, and frontline stakeholders through discussions, awareness sessions, and exposure visits to police stations.

Director General of Odisha Police Shri Yogesh Bahadur Khurania said the initiative reflects the police department’s commitment towards building trust with young people and making policing more approachable for children and adolescents.

“Through JUVENTICA, we are reaffirming our commitment to making the police force more approachable and child-friendly. Adolescents today face growing challenges in the digital world, including cyberbullying and negative body image issues,” he said.

Khurania added that the programme seeks to ensure that every child feels safe, heard, and supported while also encouraging them to seek help without fear or hesitation.

UNICEF Odisha Chief of Field Office Shri Prasanta Kumar Dash said adolescents need trusted institutions and supportive environments where they can openly discuss their concerns.

“Initiatives like JUVENTICA help create meaningful spaces for young people to interact openly, build confidence, and better understand where they can seek support,” he said, adding that conducting such programmes within police stations is an important step towards making child protection systems more responsive and adolescent-friendly.

Participants also shared positive experiences from the interactions. Rukmani Nayak, a participant from Salia Sahi in Bhubaneswar, said the programme helped reduce fear and hesitation associated with visiting police stations.

“I had never visited a police station before, and we were initially hesitant. But after interacting with the police personnel today, our fear has gone. They listened to us patiently and made us feel comfortable,” she said.

Officials said the initiative focused on strengthening awareness about child protection, cyber safety, emotional well-being, and support systems available for adolescents across the state.