Raipur, 16 July 2022
To ensure good physical, mental, emotional and social development of children, it is necessary that attention is paid to protect their interests and rights at every level. Many provisions have been made in the Indian Constitution to protect the interests and rights of children. Among these, clause (3) of Article 15 of the Constitution empowers the States to make special provisions for children. Under which provisions like reservation for women and free education of children can be made. Along with this, a special act to protect children from the offenses of sexual assault, sexual harassment and pornography on children, the Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses Act, 2012 has been implemented. Which is commonly known as POCSO Act. Sexual abuse and sexual abuse of children are heinous crimes. With the increasing use of the Internet, such crimes have increased,
Under the POCSO Act, sexual exploitation or attempt to sexually assault children, use of a child for pornography or getting these acts done is considered a serious offense. This law applies equally to both boys and girls below the age of 18 years. Special courts have been designated for cases under this law, which we know in common parlance as fast track courts. There is a speedy trial in these and the guilty get speedy punishment. Now there is a provision of death penalty in this law. Arrangements have also been made for in-camera trial of such cases. The responsibility of monitoring the implementation of this Act has been given to the State Commission for Protection of Child Rights.
Under this law, concealing or not reporting such incidents is also considered an offense and there is also a provision of imprisonment from 6 months to 1 year. If the offense is committed by the guardian of the child, it is considered even more serious. For this he can be imprisoned for life or not less than 10 years. Along with this, provision has also been made in the provision for rehabilitation and medical reimbursement of the victim from the amount of fine.
The Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses Act 2012 has clearly defined sexual offenses against children and provisions have been made for punishment by defining it to a serious level. Under this Act, the use of children for the purposes of pornography has been declared as an offense and provisions for punishment have been made for it. Abetment or abetment or abetment of any person to commit such offenses against children has also been declared a punishable offence. If a person is aware of such an offense and does not give information, then a provision has been made for his failure to give information.
The act also prohibits the media from disclosing any information revealing the identity of children. Prescribing the procedure for the media under section 23 of the Act, it has been provided that no person shall make any report or comment on any child in any form of media or studio or photographic evidence. , thereby harming the reputation of the child or infringing his or her privacy. No such details can be published from any media which would identify the victim child such as name, address, photo, family details, school, Neighborhood or any other special information should appear. This implies that the identity of the victim child should not be disclosed. The publisher or owner of the media or studio or photographic facilities shall be held jointly and severally liable for any act of his employee which contravenes the said sections. Violation of this shall be punishable by imprisonment of not less than 6 months to one year, or with fine, or with both, if found guilty by the Court.
It is necessary that the right to privacy, dignity and privacy of the children is also protected and for this it is necessary that all the people of the society understand their responsibility. Retweeting, sharing or forwarding an objectionable post can also make you criminal. Child sexual abuse is a very serious crime, be helpful in its prevention. Remember that sexual abuse of children thrives in the darkness of silence, so break the silence and report such incidents to the nearest police station or 1098.
