Intro

The child sexual abuse is an under-reported offence in India, which has reached epidemic proportion. A
recent study on prevalence of sexual abuse among adolescents in Kerala, reported that 36 per cent of
boys and 35 per cent of girls had experienced sexual abuse at some point of time1. A similar study
conducted by the Government of India in 17,220 children and adolescents to estimate the burden of
sexual abuse revealed shocking results and showed that every second child in the country was sexually
abused; among them, 52.94 per cent were boys and 47.06 per cent were girls. Highest sexual abuse was
reported in Assam (57.27%) followed by Delhi (41%), Andhra Pradesh (33.87%) and Bihar (33.27%)2.

Sexual abuse and sex trafficking remain highly prevalent and are among the serious problems in India. In
the last two decades, an increase in the prevalence of sexually transmitted diseases has been shown in
children3. Children who are victims of sexual abuse often know the perpetrator in some way4. Hence,
the problem of child sexual abuse needs to be addressed through less ambiguous and more stringent
punishment. The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 20125,6,7 was formulated to
effectively address the heinous crimes of sexual abuse and sexual exploitation of children. Legal
provisions were made through implementation of the Criminal Law (amendment) Act, 20138 which
amended the Indian Penal Code, the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, The Indian Evidence Act, 1972,
and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012. This Criminal Law (Amendment) Act
2013, also dictates punishment on stalking, voyeurism, disrobing, trafficking and acid attack.

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

The POCSO Act, 20126 is a gender neutral legislation. It defines a child as any individual below 18 yr and
provides protection to all children from sexual abuse. Definition of child sexual abuse is comprehensive
and encompasses the following: (i) penetrative sexual assault, (ii) aggravated penetrative sexual assault,
(iii) sexual assault, (iv) aggravated sexual assault, (v) sexual harassment, (vi) using child for pornographic
purpose, and (vii) trafficking of children for sexual purposes. The above offences are treated as
“aggravated”, when the abused child is mentally ill or when the abuse is committed by a person in a
position of trust or authority vis-ã-vis the child. The Act prescribes stringent punishment graded as per
the gravity of the offence, with a maximum term of rigorous imprisonment for life, and fine.

The POCSO Act further makes provisions for avoiding re-victimization, child friendly atmosphere through
all stages of the judicial process and gives paramount importance to the principle of “best interest of the
child”. It incorporates child friendly mechanisms for reporting, recording of evidence, investigation and
speedy trial of offences, trial in-camera and without revealing the identity of the child through
designated Special Courts. It also provides for the Special Court to determine the amount of
compensation to be paid to a child who has been sexually abused, so that this money can then be used
for the child's medical treatment and rehabilitation7.

Role of doctors in providing care in the present legal framework

The Act also makes provisions for the medical examination of the child in a manner that is least
distressful. The Act also clearly vocalizes that doctors should not demand legal records or legal procedure
or documentation to be completed before initiating the treatment or examination. Legal procedures can
be done later after initiating the medical care. It is now mandatory for doctors to register a medico-legal
case in all cases of child sexual abuse. Failure of reporting could result in six months imprisonment
and/or a fine under Sec 21 of the POCSO Act, 2012. The registered medical practitioner rendering
medical care shall (i) collect evidence after a thorough medical examination, (ii) treat the physical and
genital injuries, (iii) conduct age assessment of the victim (if required), (iv) offer prophylaxis for sexually
transmitted diseases including HIV, (v) discuss emergency contraceptives with the pubertal child and her
parent, (vi) do baseline evaluation for mental health issues, (vii) monthly follow up at least for six months
to look for development of psychiatric disorders, (viii) do family counselling and (ix) assist the court in
interviewing the child and testifying in the court.

Another significant provision made in this law is that no hospital under the jurisdiction of the Indian
constitution can refuse to admit the victim of child sexual abuse for examination and treatment. This
issue has been re-emphasized in Section 23 of the Criminal Law Amendment Act, which inserts Section
357C into the Code of Criminal Procedure, 19738. This Section provides that all hospitals are required to
provide first-aid or medical treatment, free of cost, to the victims of a sexual offence. The amended Act,
Section 166B of Indian Penal Code8 specifies that no hospital whether the private or public can deny
treatment to a rape victim. Treatment should be provided immediately and free of cost. If a hospital staff
is involved in rape, then law dictates punishment for a minimum of seven years.

Challenges and controversies

Child sexual abuse is a multidimensional problem having legal, social, medical and psychological
implications9. There are certain drawbacks in the law around the following issues:

(a) Consent: If the child/adolescent refuses to undergo medical examination but the family member or
investigating officer is insisting for the medical examination, the POCSO Act is silent and does not give
clear direction. There is an urgent need to clarify the issue of consent in such cases. However, it would be
prudent to take informed consent from parent when the survivor is a child (below 12 yr) and consent
from both parent and the victim, if the survivor is an adolescent (age group from 12 -18 yr). However,
emergency treatment needs to be initiated without getting into this consent issues or legality to protect
the life of the child.

(b) Medical examination: The POCSO Act, Section 27(2) mandates that in case of a female
child/adolescent victim, the medical examination should be done by a female doctor. However, the law
mandates the available medical officer to provide emergency medical care. On the other hand, the
Criminal Law amendment Act, Section 166A of Indian Penal Code mandates the Government medical
officer on duty to examine the rape victim without fail. This conflicting legal position arises when female
doctor is not available.

(c) Treatment cost: The law has casted legal obligation on the medical fraternity and establishment to
provide free medical care to the survivors. If there are no proper facilities or costly procedure is required,
the State should take responsibility of reimbursing the cost, otherwise hospital may provide substandard
medical treatment procedure or may deprive the survivor from comprehensive treatment.

(d) Consented sexual intimacy: Sexual contact between two adolescents or between an adolescent and
an adult are considered illegal under the POCSO Act 2012, because no exception has been granted in the
Act under which an act of sexual encounter with a person under 18 is an offence irrespective of consent
or the gender or marriage or age of the victim/the accused. However, it is proposed that any consensual
sexual act that may constitute penetrative sexual assault should not be an offence when it is between
two consenting adolescents, otherwise both the adolescents will be charged under the POCSO Act, 2012.
On the other hand, the latest amendment of the Indian Penal Code concerning rape laws in 20138
clearly reports that the age of consent for sex has been fixed to 18 yr, hence, anyone who has consensual
sex with a child below 18 yr can be charged with rape, which may increase the number of rape cases.
One more serious repercussion is that obstetric and gynaecologists need to report all the MTP (medical
termination of pregnancy) cases performed on children (below 18 yr).

(e) Child marriage: Child marriage and consummation of child marriage are considered illegal under the
POCSO Act, 2012. In India even though child marriage is prohibited under secular law, it enjoys sanction
under certain Personal Law thus complicating matters10. These issues need to be addressed when the
law is open for amendment.

(f) Training: There is an urgent need to train the medical, teachers, judicial, advocates and law enforcing
agencies in the POCSO Act, 2012. Research, information, monitoring and sensitizing the public are the
biggest challenges. Training all the stakeholders is one of the important variables in providing
comprehensive care and justice. There is also an urgent need to train all the medical undergraduates and
primary health care doctors in providing child friendly interview, structured assessment, collecting
evidence, prophylaxis for sexually transmitted diseases and HIV, family counselling and regular follow up.

(g) Role of mental health professional: The definitive signs of genital trauma are seldom seen in cases of
child sexual abuse11. Hence, the evaluation of child sexual abuse victim requires special skills and
techniques in history taking, forensic interviewing and medical examination. The role of mental health
professional is crucial in interviewing the child in the court of law. Child sexual abuse can result in both
short-term and long-term harmful mental health impact. Mental health professionals need to be
involved in follow up care of the victim with regard to emergence of psychiatric disorders, by providing
individual counselling, family therapy and rehabilitation12.

(h) Reporting: It is well known that the cases of child sexual abuse are usually not reported. Further,
knowing and reporting child sexual offence is highly difficult and highly personal decision for many family
members and also for survivors. Both survivors and family members feel embarrassed and ashamed
bearing the guilt, anger, frustration and emotional turmoil of the act. The fear of re-victimization because
of medical examination, criminal justice system and poorly informed society members keeps them silent
and undergo torture for long duration.

A golden rule to all the medical professionals working with children is to report all reasonable degree of
suspicion in child sexual abuse to the legal authorities. Hence, professionals need to keep watch on
sexual abuse, explore and assess the child thoroughly. Though the POCSO Act, 2012 is an excellent piece
of legislation and it recognizes almost every known form of sexual abuse against children as punishable
offence, a few challenges remain to be answered. A multi-dimensional, multi-agency team and multi-tier
approach including access to psychosocial support is to be made available to deliver holistic
comprehensive care under one roof for victims of child sexual abuse13.

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Child Sexual Abuse Laws in India – The POCSO Act

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In this article, Manish of CLC discusses the POCSO Act.

What is Child Abuse?

Child Abuse can be the result of any form of abuse such as mental, physical, neglect, emotional, and
sexual abuse. It occurs everywhere at different level of society, in educational institutions, workplaces,
homes, neighbourhoods, and even at the places meant for child protection. Indian population is
majorly covered by young generation and children are the future of the nation. India being a
developing nation, must focus on the sensitive issue of Child Sexual Abuse (CSA). CSA is one of the
most critical issues that is to be dealt with seriousness.

“ Safety and securities don’t just happen, they are the result of collective consensus and public
investment. We owe our children, the most vulnerable citizens in our society, a life free of violence
and fear”.-Nelson Mandela

The Children of our country are the most vulnerable citizens of our country towards child abuse.
Silence towards it is a failure on our side. In 2007, the survey conducted by the Ministry of Women
and Child development in which 12,500 children participated across 13 states showed that 53% said
that they had been subjected to one or more forms of sexual abuse.

Causes of Child Sexual Abuse (CSA)

Taboo about discussing sex and sexuality is an important factor that leads to lack of awareness in the
society about sexual offences against children.

Sometimes abusers suffer from mental disturbances and think of themselves as a child too, which
result in the heinous crime of CSA.

Lack of protection for isolated children and children with some disabilities are vulnerable to CSA.

Enticing poor children in a trap of money or fake promises, but take their advantage.
Indian society has Trust factor between the offender and victim because many reports/survey suggests
that majority of times the offender is known to the child.

POCSO Act

The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 32 of 2012.

“An Act to protect from offences of sexual assault, sexual harassment and pornography and provides
for the establishment of special courts for trial of such offences and for matters connected therewith
or incidental thereto.” To curb the abomination of child sexual abuse, Parliament of India enacted ‘The
Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO Act), 32 of 2012 with the competent
legislative authority under the article 15(3) of the constitution of India. Article 15(3) constitution of
India states that “nothing in this article shall prevent from making any special provision for women
and children”. On 11th December 1992, Government of India also acceded to the Convention on the
Rights of Child, adopted by the General Assembly of the United Nation, which prescribed a set of
standards followed by all State parties in securing the best interests of the child.

The Need of POCSO Act

Provisions which addresses the critical issue of CSA in India before and after the enactment of the
POCSO Act.

Before The POCSO Act, 2012

Provision of Indian Penal Code, 1860, covered the offences committed against children.

Section292 and 293 deals with the obscenity but fails to deal with ‘Online Obscenity’.In Ranjit D.
Udeshi vs State Of Maharashtra[1], the Supreme Court held that pornography is obscenity in more
aggravated form.

Section 372: Selling of minor children for purpose of prostitution

Section 376 (2) (f): punishment of rape, when a woman who is being raped is under 12 year of age, is
imprisonment for a term not less than 10 years and may extend to life.

Section 377: Unnatural Offence-this section is gender neutral and whenever a victim of sexual child
abuse is a boy, this section is applicable.
Section 67B(20) of Information Technology(IT) Act, 2000 took care of online abuse of a child and even
transmitting or publishing any sexually exploitative content of the child is punishable.

Why The POCSO Act, 2012

There were certain provisions relating to sexual offences committed against children but sections of
the Indian penal code, 1860 were generalized in nature; no specific laws in India were not able to
address sexual offences against children effectively.

Provisions of Indian penal code, 1860 were not gender neutral, for eg: Section 376 is only concerned
with the female, the male child was left out.

Failure to curb the crime of child sexual abuse and less efficacy of the previous provision. The need for
the POCSO Act was reflected by different surveys conducted by the government of India. In 2007, the
survey conducted by the Ministry of Women and Child development in which 12,500 children
participated across 13 states, showed that 53% of the children said that they have been subjected to
one or more forms of sexual abuse.

Increase in the number of child abuse cases: A total of 33,098 cases of CSA were reported in the nation
during the year 2011 when compared to 26,694 reported in 2010 which increased by 24%.[2]

When the abuser is a family member itself, the question of child safety and protection remains
unanswered. The first study on CSA in India was conducted by Recovery and Healing from Incest, an
Indian non-government organization (NGO) in 1998. The majority (76%) of the participants reported
being abused during childhood or adolescence.[3]

Despite provisions in the Information and Technology Act, 2000 that deals with child pornography
were not enough to stop online child abuse.

Gender and Profile of victim & offender under POCSO Act

Any Child can be a victim of sexual offence or pornography etc. irrespective of gender. ‘Child’ means
any person below the age of eighteen years [section 2(d)].

Under the POCSO Act victim’s gender is immaterial. According to the World Health Organization, one
out of every 4 girls and one out of every 7 boys are victims of sexual abuse.

The national survey conducted by the Ministry of Women & Children Development in 2007 shows that
57% of children who said that they have experienced one or more form of sexual abuse, were boys.

The offender can be male, female or transgender irrespective of their age. When an offence under this
act is committed by a child, such child shall be dealt with under the provision of the Juvenile Justice
(Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2000 ( Section 34).
For example, A child of age 14 can be offender under this act but the only difference is that the
Juvenile Justice Act 2015 would be applicable. Whereas the offender above the age of 18, Indian penal
code and the Criminal Procedure Code,1973 would be applicable.

The key provision of the POCSO Act

Offences and punishment under POCSO Act, 32 of 2012

The preamble of the act undoubtedly states that this Act was enacted to protect children from sexual
assault, sexual harassment, pornography etc. These are the following sections of the POCSO Act, 2012
which defines the offences and punishments covered under it.

Chapter II Sexual offences against children

Penetrative Sexual Assault and Punishment

Section 3 defines penetrative sexual assault,

When a person penetrates any object or part of his body, to an extent, into vagina, mouth, urethra or
anus of a child or makes the child do so with him or any other person. Also when he manipulates any
part of the body of the child so as to cause penetration or apply his mouth and makes the child do so
with such person or any other person.

Section 4 the prescribed punishment is imprisonment for either description for a term which shall not
be less than seven years but which may extend to imprisonment for life, and shall also liable to fine.

Sexual Assault and punishment Therefore

Section 7 defines sexual assault,

Whoever, with sexual intent, touches the vagina, penis, anus or breast of the child or makes the child
touch the vagina, penis, anus or breast of such person or any other person, or does any other act with
sexual intent which involves physical contact without penetration is said to commit sexual assault.

Section 8 Whoever commits sexual assault shall be punished with the imprisonment of either
description for a term which shall not less than three years but which may extend to five years, and
shall also be liable to fine.

Sexual Harassment and punishment Therefore

Section 11 defines sexual harassment,

A person is said to commit sexual harassment upon a child when such a person with sexual intent-

Any person utters or makes any sound, or makes any gesture or exhibits any object or part of the body
with the intention that such word or sound shall be heard, or such gesture or object or part of the
body shall be seen by the child; or

Makes a child do such things mentioned hereinafter;

Entices or Showing a child anything which may relate to pornography or pornographic purposes,
watching or contacts child either directly or digitally, threatens to use a real or fabricated depiction
through electronic, film, or digital or any other mode, of any body part of the child

Explanation: Any question that involves “sexual intent” shall be a question of fact.

Section 12 prescribes the punishment of imprisonment for a term, which may extend to three years
and shall also be liable to fine

The aggravated form of sexual offences

This act recognizes the aggravated form of the penetrative sexual assault and sexual assault when
these are committed by the police officer, public servant, armed personnel, or member of security
forces etc. One can say that this act is quite more serious when the protector is the perpetrator.

Section 5 – aggravated penetrative sexual assault and its punishment under Section 6 is minimum of
10 years of imprisonment which may extend to a term of life, and shall also liable for fine.

Section 9 – aggravated sexual assault and its punishment under section 10 is a minimum of 5 years
imprisonment which may extend to 7 years, and shall also liable for fine.

Using the child for pornographic purpose

Section 13, using a child in any media, for the purpose of sexual gratification, which includes-
Representation of sexual organs of a child. Engaging a child in real or simulated sexual acts. Indecent
or obscene representation of child shall be guilty of using a child for pornographic purposes.

The explanation provided with section 13 states that the expression “use of child” shall include
involving a child through any medium like print, electronic, computer or any other technology for
preparation, production, offering, transmitting, publishing, facilitation and distribution of the
pornographic material.
Section 14 recognises different levels of punishment for the different level of actus rea. Generally, life
imprisonment which may extend to 5 years is provided in Sub Section (1), if a person using a child for
pornography commits an offence under section 3 of the Act, by directly participating in the
pornographic act, the prescribed punishment is life imprisonment and shall also be liable for fine.

When a person stores, for commercial purposes any pornographic material which is sexual exploitive
of a child, shall be punished with imprisonment for 3 years or with fine or both.

Mandatory reporting of cases

Where to complaint any offence relating to child sexual abuse?

Section 19 (1) makes it mandatory for any person, who has apprehension that an offence under this
Act is likely to be committed or has knowledge that such offence has been committed, to report it
either to the Special Juvenile Police Unit or to the Local Police.

Section 20 requires a mandatory reporting, when any person encounters with any material or object
with are sexually exploitative of the child.

Special provision for recording the statement of the victim (Section 24)

Place of recording of the statement will be of child’s choice and comfort.

The police officer while recording statement must not be in uniform and also make sure that at no
point of time child come in contact in any way with the offender.

No child shall be detained in the night for any reason.

Special courts, their powers & procedure for recording of evidence

For the purpose of the speedy trial, the State Government must establish a court of session to be a
special court (section 28).

While trying an offence under this Act, a Special Court can also try an offence, with which the accused
may, under the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, be charged at the same time.

The burden of proof lies on accused (section 29).

Special public prosecutor to be appointed by the state government, the person appointed must be in
practice for at least 7 years.

The court presumes all the type of culpable mental state of the accused [section 30(1)]. POCSO Act
ensures punishment for all offenders irrespective of gender or age.

The court can take cognizance of any offence, without the accused being committed to it for trial,
upon receiving a complaint of facts which discloses such offence [Section 33(1)].
The court may permit frequent breaks for the child during a trial.

The court shall not call the child repeatedly to testify.

Protection of child victim

On the reasonable grounds Special Juvenile Police Unit or Local Police, after recorded in writing, such
child shall be provided with care and protection homes within 24 hours of the report [Section 29(5)]

The court shall create a child-friendly atmosphere by allowing a family, member, a guardian, a friend,
or a relative in whom the child has trust.

Note: In case a child is abused or likely to abuse by a family member, then he/she must be taken out of
the custody of his/her family (Rule 4 of POCSO Rules).

Recent development in the POCSO Act

The Criminal Law Amendment (CLA) Act, 2013

After receiving the President’s assent on 2nd April 2013, the CLA Act amended the Section 42 and
inserted a new Section 42A in the POCSO Act. Section 42A provides that the provisions of POCSO Act
shall be in addition to and not in derogation with the provisions of any other law, and in case of
inconsistency, the provisions of the POCSO Act shall have an overriding effect to the extent of the
inconsistency.

The Criminal Law (Amendment) Ordinance, No. 2 of 2018

An Ordinance further to amend the Indian Penal Code, 1860; Indian Evidence Act, 1872; The Code of
Criminal Procedure, 1973; and the POCSO Act, 2012 was introduced by the President. It amends
Section 42 of the POCSO Act by inserting the Section 376DA, 376DB of Indian Penal Code, 1860

Section 376DA – Where woman under 16 years of age is raped by one or more persons, then each
(acting in furtherance of common intention) of them shall be imprisoned for the remainder of that
person’s natural life, and with fine.

Section 367DB. Where woman under 12 years of age is raped by one or more persons, then each
(acting in furtherance of common intention) of them shall be punished with life imprisonment, and
fine, or with death.

Note: Such fine shall be paid to the victim and must be adequate to meet the medical expenses and
rehabilitation of the victim.
Alakh Alok Srivastava vs Union Of India 1 May 2018

A three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice of India Deepak Mishra, Justice D. Y. Chandrachud and
Justice A.M. Khanwilkar issued directions for the speedy disposal of cases under POCSO Act. The
Public Interest Litigation filed by advocate Alakh Alok Srivastava drew the attention of the Supreme
Court towards non-compliance by the States with mandates of the POCSO Act. The Hon’ble supreme
court issued the following guidelines to the States as follows:

The High Courts shall ensure that cases registered under the POCSO Act are tried and disposed of by
the Special Courts.

No unnecessary adjournments should be allowed and the trial must be completed in a time-bound
manner or within a specific time frame provided under the Act.

To be established Special Courts, if the same has not been done already.

The Chief Justices of the High Courts were ordered constitute a Committee of three Judges to regulate
and monitor the progress of the trials under the POCSO Act. If three Judges are not available, the Chief
Justices of the respective High Courts shall constitute a one Judge Committee.

The Director General of Police or the officer of equivalent rank shall constitute a Special Task Force
which shall ensure that the investigation is done properly and witnesses are produced on the dates
fixed before the trial courts.

Adequate steps to be taken to ensure the child-friendly atmosphere in the Special Courts.

POCSO Cell- Monitoring The Implementation of Act

Section 44 of POCSO Act assigns the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights and the State
commission for The Protection of Child Rights additional work of monitoring the implementation of
the provision of this Act.

Keeping the mandate in view, National Commission for Protection of Child Rights has constituted a cell
on POCSO. It is proposed to have one Sr. Technical Expert, One Technical Expert and Two Junior
Technical Experts.

Similarly respective State Commission for Protection of Child Rights has created POCSO Cell. For
instance, Rajasthan State Commission for Protection of Child Rights had initiated the POCSO Cell.

Main Tasks of POSCO Cell and Activities

Drafting of modules for Police, CWC, Health departments, non-governmental organisation etc. to assist
child at trial and pre-trial stages under Section 39 of the POCSO Act.

Preparation of Guidelines with Lawyers Collective and UNICEF:Guidelines for Police,

Guidelines for Special Courts,

Guidelines for Special Prosecutors,

Guidelines for Child Welfare Committees (CWC), and

Guidelines for Health Professionals.

Preparation of IEC (Information, Education, Communication) material;

Review of IEC (Information, Education, Communication) material for preventing child sexual abuse
prepared by State/UT and NGOs initiated to identify best practices and to disseminate same among
other States/UTs.

Initiating the campaign to create awareness through radio, television or media at regular intervals
among the general public, children, and parents to prevent sexual abuse To monitor the appointment
of Special Public Prosecutor by the State Governments.

To monitor the designation of special courts by the State Governments.

To collect information and data and make the report about the number, details of offences reported
under POCSO.

Addressed several cases of child abuse and recommended compensation for victims.

Prepare a report on the factors responsible for the cause of child sexual abuse in India.

POCSO E-Box Scheme

One of the important factors that lead towards the vulnerability is the relationship of the victim with
the offender. In most of the cases, the offender is known to the victim which makes a child more
vulnerable and suppress from reporting the heinous crime of child sexual abuse.

Sexual abuse scars the psyche of the affected child for the entire life. In search of a child-friendly
system of filing a complaint about child abuse, the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights
(NCPCR) came with the POCSO E-Box scheme.

A major initiative by NCPCR to help children to report such crimes directly to the commission. It is an
easy and direct medium which allow children to file a complaint in case of sexual assault under the
POCSO Act, 2012.
Under this scheme, NCPCR has also launched POCSO E-Box Mobile Application.

How to file a complaint using POCSO E-Box Scheme

Go to the homepage of National Commission for Protection of Child Rights website

Press a button named “POCSO E-Box”.

Complaint Monitoring System - Open in New Window

After pressing the button, it will navigate you to a page with the window having a short animation
movie telling “Our children NCPCR is your friend. If someone gives you a bad touch, show you bad
pictures and you are not able to tell your parents Or anyone else than Tell us! We will help you”. Then
press the button “PRESS HERE”.

There will be a page asking for picture options. The user has to select at least one picture from the
option, fill the form and click on the submit button to register the complaint.

After this, an acknowledgement that the complaint has been registered along with the complaint
number will be displayed.

Note: Complainant can also send the complaint by post through messenger or any other means to the
following address;

National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR)

5th floor, Chandralok Building

36, Janpath, New Delhi-110001 India or,

Visit www.ncpcr.gov.in

In Emergency please contact- Police: 100, Childline: 1098

POCSO Workshops
These Workshops were conducted by NCPCR on salient features of the POCSO Act/ POCSO E-Box
scheme. One in Durg and Raipur, Chhattisgarh and another in Jaipur and Udaipur, Rajasthan with an
aim to acquaint the general public the provisions of POCSO Act and preventive steps. Mostly these
workshops were attended by Teachers and Students together.

The Main objective of the Workshops

To encourage the participants to express themselves and self-realization.

To acquaint the participants with the salient features of the POCSO Act.

To enhance the people about the POCSO E-Box Scheme.

To create awareness on child sexual abuse.

How to file a complaint or report the abuse to the authority.

Observations

The participants felt that this was a great initiative to learn and acquaint with the provisions of the
POCSO Act.

People were willing to participate and create awareness among their society to safeguard children.

These kinds of workshops open up areas for positive discussion of sexuality which is a Taboo in India.

Journey So Far – POCSO Act

In an Information provided by the Press Information Bureau, Government of India on 08-February-

2018 states that 1,04976 cases registered under POCSO Act during the year 2014-16. The table below
provides factual data about the number of case and status of cases during the year 2014-16

Category Case registered Cases convictedPerson arrestedPerson chargesheeted Person

convicted

2014 34,449 2,275 41,732 36,653 2,686

2015 34,505 3,809 41,090 37,683 4,567

2016 36,022 3,226 42,196 37,872 3,859

What should we conclude from the above table? No doubt there is an increase in the number of
reporting CSA cases but we want simultaneously to curb the CSA. POCSO Act definitely helping to
reduce the number of child abuse cases.