Child abuse: Parents not aware of POCSO

However, one of the major reasons why they refrain from doing so is because the child is made to relive the experience while having to answer many questions – be it from the Child Welfare Committee (CWC), District Child Protection Unit (DCPU) or the police, thereby increasing the pain.

Activists, therefore, suggest avoiding dragging the process, by bringing together all those involved in protecting child rights under one roof. Stating that police apathy and their lackadaisical approach in not registering the case under appropriate sections in POCSO Act, are a systemic issues which need to be addressed through leadership and ongoing capacitation trainings, Child Rights Activist Andrew Sesuraj said, “The police must ensure that the cases of child sexual abuse are brought to the attention of the CWC and FIR is registered at the earliest of 24 hours.”

There should be a team assigned solely for such cases, which could help the family know exactly whom to approach to file an FIR. Also, if the CWC, DCPU and other units of child protection were brought under one roof, the pain of extended enquiries could be brought down, another activist added.

While the lack of coordination is a factor of great concern, like in the case in Kancheepuram district, it is evident that steps are not taken with the best interest of the child in mind. “Families in the village are not well educated. When we inform them about the Act, and urge them to file a complaint, they refrain from doing so out of fear of what the society may think,” he said.

Justice Dr S Vimala said, “Developed countries do a judicial impact assessment before enacting a law to assess the Human Resources requirements, evaluate the Infrastructure necessities and financial liabilities in implementing the legislation. This is absolutely missing in India which has a direct impact in the way the legislations are implemented in addressing the issue.”