Bhubaneswar, May 7, 2026: In a major step towards promoting adolescent well-being, online safety, and stronger community trust, Odisha Police, in collaboration with the Department of Women & Child Development and UNICEF, will organize a unique statewide outreach programme on May 8, 2026, across all 578 civil police stations in Odisha under the “JUVENTICA initiative”.
The programme aims to create a safe, inclusive, and participatory platform where adolescents can directly interact with police personnel and discuss modern-day challenges including mental health, body image, and digital safety. The initiative also seeks to strengthen trust between young people and the police system while encouraging awareness and preventive support.
The initiative builds upon the national dialogue “Infantia”, which recognizes online safety for children as a fundamental child right and emphasizes that every child’s dignity, privacy, and safe participation in the digital world must be protected.
Speaking about the initiative, Prasanta Kumar Dash, Chief of the Field Office, UNICEF Odisha, said that body image, online safety, and mental health are deeply interconnected, as harmful online experiences and unrealistic digital standards often negatively affect self-perception and emotional well-being among adolescents. He stated that creating safe spaces where young people feel heard, supported, and empowered is extremely important, and bringing adolescents, frontline workers, and police personnel together will help strengthen protective support systems while encouraging adolescents to seek help without fear or stigma.
The programme will witness participation from adolescents, Anganwadi workers, paralegal volunteers, and Child Welfare Police Officers (CWPOs). Various interactive activities including guided tours of police stations, video screenings, awareness discussions, and open conversations will be conducted to foster trust, resilience, and positive engagement between adolescents and law enforcement agencies.
At a time when adolescents are increasingly facing online risks, cyber challenges, social pressure, and mental health concerns, Odisha Police is attempting to move beyond traditional enforcement roles by adopting a proactive and preventive approach through awareness-building and community engagement.
Through the “JUVENTICA initiative”, police stations are being repositioned as more accessible and child-friendly spaces that offer supportive environments for adolescents and communities. The initiative is expected to play an important role in strengthening community-based prevention mechanisms and encouraging help-seeking behavior among young people.
The programme is being considered an important milestone in building stronger partnerships among adolescents, communities, and the child protection system across Odisha.
Date: May 8, 2026
Time: 2:30 PM to 4:30 PM
Venue: All 578 Civil Police Stations across Odisha
