Children have the right to be protected from all forms of physical or mental violence, injury or abuse, neglect or negligent treatment, maltreatment or exploitation, including sexual abuse. In India, there are millions of children living in particularly difficult and vulnerable circumstances such as street children, child labourers, children with disabilities, trafficked children, children in homeless families, children affected by HIV and AIDS, and children affected by disasters. In such circumstances the traditional community protection mechanisms break down and therefore these children require special protection. Violence and abuse can happen in the family home, at school and in the community. A study by the government in 2007 mentions that 73 percent of all children in India have experienced abuse and violence of one form or the other. Further, only half the children have been registered at birth. Therefore, Plan prioritizes its work on:
