Protection of Children against Sexual Offences(POCSO) Act,2012 Implementation Date- 14/ November/2012

[Audio] Good Morning! Today we will be discussing the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act or pocSO which was implemented on the 14th of November 2012. We will explore the reasons for the implementation of this act the legal procedures available to protect children and dispel the common myths surrounding child sexual abuse. So let's get started!.

[Audio] Child sexual abuse in India is an incredibly important and pressing issue. Research conducted by the Indian government has revealed a shocking 52.3 percent of children are victims of such abuse. Even more troubling is that in the majority of cases the abuser is somebody known to the child such as a family friend uncle or cousin. It is essential to bear in mind that any child regardless of their family's social standing is potentially at risk. Therefore it is vital that adults do their part to protect children and prevent such abuse from occurring..

[Audio] Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act 2012 is an act passed in the Indian Parliament in May 2012 that came into force on 14th November 2012. It provides a broad definition of a child as any person below the age of 18 and it is gender neutral. It also gives specific definitions of sexual abuse including sexual harassment penetrative and non-penetrative sexual abuse and pornography. This act plays an integral role in safeguarding children from any kind of sexual offence..

[Audio] The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act was implemented to strengthen the legal procedure of reporting any abuse to the police. Before pocSO a written complaint of abuse had to be made in-person at a police station and then the police would start an investigation and continue with court proceedings. pocSO aimed to make the process simpler and easier to report any abuse and make sure it is taken seriously..

[Audio] Complaints involving children must be handled with sensitivity and care according to the pocSO Act. The statement of the complainant must be taken by a female police officer of the rank of Sub-Inspector or above and she must not be in uniform. The enquiry should be done in a way to make the child feel comfortable and with someone the child trusts. No child is to be kept in the police station at night in any circumstances. If there is any physical abuse immediate action will be taken to ensure that the child is medically attended and protected. It is mandatory for anyone with information or knowledge of the offence to report the same..

[Audio] Today I'm going to discuss the salient features of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act implemented on 14th November 2012. This act ensures that a child is given the adequate protection and support during the investigative process. It provides for emergency medical treatment and prevents the child from re-victimization. The act also provides for a special court to decide compensation for the child. Additionally provisions are put in place to allow the child to testify through video-link. This act guarantees that each C-S-A--- case is disposed within one year of reporting and that if a child accuses it is the responsibility of the accused to prove their innocence. Moreover it states that abetters and observers of such acts are equally responsible for the crime. Finally it ensures that if a child commits a crime he or she will be sent to a juvenile home for up to three years..

[Audio] Children are the future of this world and their safety and security must be ensured. The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act or pocSO is a law that applies to all children without distinction of gender. Whether male female or non-binary the act seeks to protect all children below the age of 18 from sexual offences. This act can serve as an important tool to protect our children and create a safer and more secure environment..

[Audio] Child abuse is a very serious matter. It can take many forms including physical abuse sexual abuse and emotional abuse. Physical abuse is using force to harm a child such as burning hitting punching kicking beating et cetera Sexual abuse includes activities such as penetrative sexual assault aggravated penetrative sexual assault sexual assault aggravated sexual assault sexual harassment and using a child for pornographic purposes. All of these activities are prohibited by the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act 2012 (POCSO). Finally emotional abuse can include any act or omission by parents or caregivers that significantly impacts the child's psychological and emotional state. We must all keep in mind that any form of child abuse is unacceptable and must be stopped..

[Audio] As we discussed previously Sexual offences are a growing problem in our society. In this slide we will discuss the various forms of sexual offences as described in the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO) implemented on the 14th of November 2012. The first type of sexual offence is known as sexual harassment. This includes gestures or looks of a sexual nature as well as unwelcome sexual remarks demands or requests for sexual favours and the use of pornography. The second type of sexual offences is known as sexual assault. This includes any kind of physical contact with a child’s private parts or making a child touch someone else’s private parts. The third type of sexual offence is known as aggravated sexual assault. This is when penetration occurs either using one’s body or an object. This is considered to be a much more serious offence than the other forms of sexual offences..

[Audio] Examining the characteristics of abusers it is common that victims trust them. 90% of child sexual abuse cases involve someone who is known to the victim. Abusers may have a mental condition called 'pedophilia' which compels them to have strong sexual desires for children. The majority of child sexual abusers are men making it difficult to accept that someone you trust could commit such an act..

[Audio] The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act or pocSO is an important measure meant to protect vulnerable children from sexual abuse. This Act is important for helping to ensure these young victims feel empowered to voice their experiences without fear of retaliation or any other hesitations that may arise from such a traumatic event. It is crucial to create an atmosphere in which children can feel secure enough to share their stories and receive the necessary assistance..

[Audio] Discussing the potential consequences of child sexual abuse may be difficult however it is important to be aware of them. The primary consequence is mainly physical however there are many psychological and emotional symptoms that victims can experience. These symptoms range from lowered self-esteem to changes in appetite depression obsessive-compulsive disorder difficulty with relationships and a potential to become an abuser themselves. It is essential to identify these symptoms and take action as soon as possible in order to ensure the safety and well-being of the child in the long-term..

[Audio] A child often does not report sexual offences for multiple reasons. Fear of public humiliation or threat from the perpetrator can be significant factors in remaining silent. The societal structure can also be a contributing factor given that the child may not be aware of their rights or believe that they won't be taken seriously. Regardless of the context victims of sexual offence must be supported and encouraged to come forward..

[Audio] The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act was implemented on the 14th of November 2012 criminalizing a range of offenses. These include sexual harassment of children failure to report a sexual offence abetment of offenses and attempts to commit an offense as well as false complaints from or about a child use of a child for pornographic purposes non-penetrative sexual assault and penetrative and aggravated sexual assault. Punishments for these offenses include terms of imprisonment and fines..

[Audio] It is clear from the slide that schools must take essential measures to secure the wellbeing and safety of children. Necessary steps must be taken to supervise all sections and educate staff of the results of any maltreatment of children. Moreover if a child brings up a topic related to sexual abuse or inquire about it it is the obligation of school personnel and authorities to give the child correct guidance and never quash or disregard the data shared with them. All such reports must be reported to the pocSO committee or the grievance team..

[Audio] According to the I-S-H-A-- vidHYA polICY adults in the school should refrain from any kind of physical touch or contact with a child regardless of gender. Further all communication between teachers and students should be done through officially approved group settings and should be copied to the respective Principal and Vice Principal. Additionally communication via text WhatsApp Facebook Instagram Telegram et cetera should not be done with students unless it is related to school work..

[Audio] The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act was passed in India on 14th November 2012 to protect minors from any kind of sexual exploitation or abuse. At Isha Vidhya we take this law seriously and have implemented a strict policy against taking pictures or recording videos of the children without permission. We must always seek permission before making or taking official recordings; taking pictures or videos for personal purposes is strictly prohibited. Isha Vidhya is committed to ensuring a safe and enjoyable environment where children can learn without fear of exploitation or abuse..

No child must be recorded in any manner that makes them uncomfortable and children must always be asked permission before taking of any photographs/recording videos - this is only for the official use. Taking photos or videos for personal use is strictly prohibited. Isha Vidhya reaffirms its commitment to ensuring the full participation of children by providing them with safe and joyful spaces for learning..

[Audio] The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act has been implemented to ensure the safety and protection of children. We have put in place a set of rules for all our employees to follow including making sure that boundaries are clear when it comes to interactions between staff and children providing training to staff and support staff on child protection norms and thoroughly monitoring activities of all teachers visitors and strangers by their immediate supervisors. An internal vigilance committee has also been established to monitor the adherence to the regulations..

[Audio] The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act was implemented on 14th November 2012 with a critical component that must be understood and respected in all education institutions. It is especially important that members of staff management persons in positions of trust and authority who commit sexual offences are liable for greater punishment. Schools must strive to create an environment that is inclusive accepting and promoting of gender equality and awareness. Adequate training must be given to teachers to effectively manage these activities..

[Audio] It is our responsibility to respect and value children as the hope of our nation. We must take an active role in protecting children’s rights and be vigilant to any incidents that may occur. We should act as whistleblowers and report any incidents without hesitation. The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act which was implemented on 14th November 2012 provides us with a framework to ensure our children’s safety and security. We must fulfill our moral responsibility to protect and ensure a safe and pleasant environment for them to learn in..