The workshop conducted by Secretary DLSA South, Mr Sukhjeet Singh and Deputy Directorate of Education Dr Ashok Kumar Tyagi sought to highlight the main features of the POCSO Act (2012) with the help of various case examples.
To begin with, the very need of the Act was discussed and the importance to make child friendly provisions was explained. This is because childhood experiences have a strong bearing on the mental health of the child. If not attended to, it can negatively impact socio-emotional development.
The session focused on the key provisions of the act as below.
1.There is a need to maintain privacy to protect the child.
2.The law presumes that if a crime is reported then the intention of the accused was bad to begin with. The burden falls on the accused to prove his or her innocence and not on the victim to prove the crime.
3.The recording of the statement can be done at home (in an attempt to make child friendly legal proceedings)
4.Parents are to be assured of safe and confidential legal proceedings.
5.If any teacher or counsellor becomes aware of any case of sexual assault or sexual offence, the school principal needs to report the matter to the police immediately. In case the school fails to report the case, it will be considered a punishable offence.
6.The parents name is to be remain confidential at the time of reporting.
7.A legal aid counsellor is to be appointed to aid the child.
8.Special courts are assigned for such proceedings.
9.There are various types of offences under the Act. (Penetrating sexual assault, sexual assault, aggravated penetrative sexual assault, use of a child for pornographic materials, storage of that pornographic material for harassment).
The workshop discussed the behavioural signs that teachers must look out for. Children who are victims of any type of sexual offence usually show certain behavioural changes such as a sudden drop in academic performance, a withdrawal in the classroom. non articipation in activities of their interest, increased absenteeism, signs of nervousness or fear when talking, bodily complaints such as inability to sleep frequent pain during urination etc.
Schools need to conduct POCSO awareness workshops internally, to train their teachers and adopt steps to create a safe learning environment for the children.
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