of the mechanism in place to seek justice. Awareness campaigns at the grass root to educate women about what to do in threatening situations and informing them about police procedures will greatly help. Better policing combined with speedy conviction and awareness campaigns can make a lot of difference. There is another aspect of the issue. While taking action against the offenders/criminals, the policemen should also be vigilant in not being unfair to the innocent people. There have been instances, under the Dowry Prohibition Act, wherein innocent people have been put behind bars. The fact remains any law is as strong or effective as those who implement it. If the police is sensitive and honest, then the law would never be misused.27 VI. Rights of Children Children are the future of every nation and every child has the right to be protected, and to be treated with care, dignity and respect. They are a vulnerable group in society who need special care, attention and protection. The concept of ‘protection of children’ is well known, in a general sense, in the law and refers to all activities designed to guarantee and protect children and their rights so that they may live, grow, develop and participate optimally in society in accordance with the dignity to which they are entitled as human beings, and so that they may be protected against violence and discrimination in order to ensure the moral values and wellbeing of all children.28 The Constitution of India recognizes the rights of children and includes several articles dealing with their liberty, livelihood, and development of childhood, non-discrimination in educational spheres, compulsory and free education and prohibition of their employment in factories, mines and hazardous industries. Police officers deal with children on a regular basis, as victims of crime and abuse requiring perhaps more attention than adult victims. Protection of the rights of the children should be of prime concern for the police force. The Nithari incident proved that it was police apathy, to the whole racket of kidnappings and abductions, which worsened the situation. Apart from failing in their duty to prevent and register the crime, the police attitude 27 Khaki mein Insaan - Kumar Ashok, Rajkamal Paperback, 2010 28 Commonwealth Human Rights Manual for Police Personnel, 2005 44 Manual on Human Rights for Police Officers