Corpn to conduct workshop on sexual abuse in schools

A press release said that apart from city Corporation schools, the awareness workshops would also be conducted at ward and zonal offices. “All the teachers working in Corporation schools should know about Pocso Act. To create awareness, non-governmental organisations should also come forward in organising workshops,” the statement said.

On Saturday, the civic body and Inner Wheel Club of Madras had conducted an awareness workshop in Ripon Building premises, in which the headmasters of city Corporation schools participated. Additional Director General of Police M Ravi who is heading the crime against women and children wing and Puducherry Human Rights Commission Chairman M Jayachandran conducted awareness sessions during the workshop. During the programme, the headmasters were taught about good touch and bad touch, and handling the affected children. “Training sessions were also held about the punishment given to child abusers under the Pocso Act. The headmasters were asked to take legal action against the perpetrators,” the release said.

The Chennai Corporation Commissioner G Prakash said that teachers play a crucial role in the development of children. “However, on several occasions, some teachers remain oblivious to the legal procedures and providing support to the victims. Teachers should understand the victims and make the children feel safer in schools,” he added. He urged the teachers to act responsibly and help the affected children come out from the mental trauma.