posco-faq

POCSO – Protection of Children from Sexual Offences

CSA – Child Sexual Abuse

Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012

POCSO Act aims to protect children from offences of sexual assault, sexual harassment and pornography.

Yes. It recognizes and protect both boys and girls below the age of 18 years.

‘Child’ means any person below the age of eighteen years.

Yes. Any person including parents, teachers, doctors, children, personnel of the media or hotel or lodge or hospital or club or studio or photographic facilities or any other persons having knowledge of the offence shall report such information in writing to the:

 Special Juvenile Police Unit or

 Local Police

Yes. Non-reporting and false reporting are punishable offences under POCSO Act.

No. Child sexual abuse is an extremely subjective and sensitive matter. Therefore, reporting of such cases may not take place immediately due to the physical and mental impact it leaves on the child. In order to respect the same, the Act does not state any time limit to report the case i.e. the victim at his choice may report the case even after number of years of the offence committed.

POCSO Act clearly prohibits disclosure of the victim’s identity in any form of media including the social media except when permitted by the Special Courts under the Act and it is in the opinion that such disclosure is in the interest of the child. Any violations made shall be punishable.

 In case if the victim is a girl child, the medical examination shall be conducted by a woman doctor;
 The examination shall be conducted in the presence of the parent or guardian of the child whom the child trusts;
 In case of absence of the parent or guardian of the child, the medical examination shall be conducted in the presence of a woman nominated by the head of the medical institute.

Any act or behavior is a sexual abuse if such act or behavior is unwelcome and makes the child feel uncomfortable. Sexual abuse is gender neutral and may happen to any child. Child sexual abuse can be physical, verbal, non-verbal, digital and emotional.

Predators are the people who commit the crime of child sexual abuse.

Paedophile is a person who has a psychiatric disorder that indicates a persistent sexual interest in pre-pubescent children, as reflected by sexual fantasies, urges, thoughts, arousal patterns, or behaviour. Individuals may or may not act on this attraction.

Both men and women can be predators / pedophiles.

Yes. Over 90% of child abuse is committed by a known person.

 Fears or Threats

 Shame / Embarrassment
 Fear of Punishment
 Task of secrecy
 Blame Game

Touch that makes the child feel confused, uncomfortable, uneasy and creeped out such as touching the child on other body parts and not the private parts but with sexual intent, brushing the back of the child, running fingers through the child’s hair, trying to talk dirty with the child, showing vulgar content etc.

Child should be taught a No-Go-Tell principle where they should immediately say no to such acts, go run to a public place, shout for help and tell anyone whom the child trusts.

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POCSO e-Box is an online complaints box designed for reporting cases of child sexual abuse. Understanding the sensitivity of the issue that children not being comfortable to voice out their concerns openly, NCPCR has taken this initiative to give voice to children and help them report crimes directly to them through a very simple procedure. The online complaints mechanism ensures easy reporting, confidentiality and timely actions against offenders. Acquaint your children with this website www.ncpcr.gov.in.

 Physical Indicators – Scars, difficulty in sitting / walking, irritation, infection or pain in private organs, pregnancy symptoms
 Psychological Indicators – Sweaty forehead / palms, sick tummy, shaking body, wide eyes, sleeping disorders, nightmares eating disorders, being secretive, need to go to toilet frequently
 Emotional Indicators – Guilt, shame, anxiety, panic attacks, goosebumps, avoidance to go to certain places or meet people, fast heartbeat, depression, low self-esteem, mood swings, dry throat, excessive crying
 Cognitive Indicators – Lack of concentration, lack of curiosity, academic failure, poor performance, unable to understand difference between right or wrong
 Behavioral Indicators – aggressive, drug addiction, self-harming, suicidal behaviors, social isolation, unexplained receipt of toys or chocolates or gifts, blank looks etc.

Check following parameters to ensure if your child’s school is POCSO compliant:
 Has a POCSO committee and Sakhi Savitri committee (specific to Maharashtra) in place;
 Has formulated a child protection policy;
 Has been conducting regular background verifications of staff / teachers recruited;
 Has been conducting regular sensitization programs for children (age-appropriate training programs), teachers, POCSO committee members, parents, school management, bus conductors / drivers, housekeeping staff, security guards, nannies and all other relevant people forming a part of the school;
 Has installed a complaint box and has been reviewing complaints on regular basis;
 Has appointed a counsellor;
 Has installed CCTV cameras and the same are in working conditions;
 Has displayed zero tolerance posters across the school premise and
 Has been liasoning with the local police station / authorities to ensure safety of children at school.