The government has prioritized the safety and security of children, implementing measures under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act of 2012 to shield them from abuse. The Act, amended in 2019, enforces severe penalties, including the death sentence for grave sexual crimes, with provisions for rigorous imprisonment ranging from three years to life, depending on the offense’s severity. It also stipulates up to seven years’ imprisonment for exploiting children in pornography.
The POCSO Rules of 2020 enforce regular police verification and background checks for staff in child-related institutions and mandate periodic training on child safety. They also empower special courts to grant interim and final compensation for victims’ relief and rehabilitation and ensure immediate financial aid for urgent needs through recommendations by the Child Welfare Committee.
754 fast-track courts, including 404 exclusive POCSO courts, operate across 30 states and union territories, expediting trials of rape and POCSO cases. By January 2025, these courts have concluded over 3.06 million cases. Awareness campaigns about the Act’s provisions have been disseminated nationwide through films, audio-visual content, and posters in regional languages. Coursebooks for classes 6 to 12 published by NCERT include details about the toll-free helpline Childline 1098 and the POCSO E-box for emergency outreach.
The Ministry of Women and Child Development has organized zonal conferences and sensitization workshops under the Mission Vatsalya Scheme, engaging stakeholders such as state governments, police, and non-governmental organizations. The initiatives addressed issues like child protection, juvenile justice, and adoption regulations. They included virtual training sessions for north-eastern states on institutional and non-institutional care modules.
The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights has developed digital portals like the Baal Swaraj-POCSO tracking portal, ensuring real-time monitoring of child sexual abuse cases. Regional meetings and consultations have been held to address challenges in implementing the Act and providing victim assistance. Efforts also target curbing child sexual abuse material online and addressing the role of minors in crimes influenced by explicit content.
