Krishna Tirath inaugurates regional conference on Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act

Minister for Women and Child Development Krishna Tirath, inaugurated the first regional conference on Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012 here today.

Speaking on the occasion, Tirath stated that the POCSO Act describes sexual offence in a gender neutral manner and provides for child friendly and sensitive treatment for children who have faced sexual abuse.

She also focussed on the current situation of increasing sexual abuses of children, various initiatives taken by the Ministry for protection of children in general and protection of children from sexual offences in particular and requested the State Governments to take necessary steps for the implementation of POCSO Act, 2012.

According to a press statement issued by the Ministry of Women and Child development, Krishna Tirath said that this Act should be in the school curriculum and children must be educated about its provisions.

She further added that all the measures like in-camera proceedings, interpreter and proper medical facilities must be provided to the children facing the sexual abuse.

Nita Chowdhury, Secretary, Ministry of Women and Child Development highlighted the reason behind enactment of the POCSO Act, its key provisions and asserted that it is the duty of Central and State Governments to organise similar conferences so as to raise awareness on the subject.

She said that the focus of the Act is the protection of children and that strict measures have been taken up in the Act.

Chairman of the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) Kushal Singh spoke about the monitoring role of NCPCR as provided in the said Act.

She highlighted the basic problems like insensitivity of police, lack of trained counselors and the need for strengthening the juvenile justice mechanism.

A presentation made by the Ministry highlighted the provisions of the said Act in detail while emphasizing on some features such as gender neutrality, definitions of sexual harassment, sexual assault and pornography, punishment as per gravity of offence, special courts, victim compensation etc.

The conference was attended by a host of officials from Central and State Women and Child Departments, Child Rights Commissions, Education Departments, Police and Legal Academies.