MARGAO: The Goa State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (GSCPCR) has issued fresh recommendations for enforcement of POCSO Act, 2012 in educational institutions in the State.
The GSCPCR said that as per law, they are empowered to monitor the functions of the POCSO Act and thus proposed amendments to the existing circular on POCSO by the Directorate of Education after consulting stakeholders in the child protection system.
“The alarming rise in sexual assaults on children in Goa, within the premises of schools and no action or delayed action, being reported in schools, are distressing incidents that highlight the urgent need for comprehensive measures to tackle this issue,” said Peter Borges, GSCPCR Chairperson.
“The students who are focused on learning, growing, and building their futures, are instead subjected to appalling acts of violence and trauma. There is abuse of power and trust that the child and parents put in the school and those working in these schools,” he said, adding that it was thus imperative that DoE acknowledge the gravity of the problem, confront the harsh reality, and direct the school authorities to act quickly when faced with a complaint of child sexual abuse, to ensure the safety and well-being of the children.
The recommendations explained the provisions of the Act and the role of the Special Juvenile Police Unit or local police. It said the duty of the school management is to take necessary steps in curbing child sexual abuse within the institution and provide support to every child who takes the courage to come forward to report the same. In an effort to enhance the safety of schools for children, a comprehensive set of nearly 20 measures has been proposed. These measures encompass various aspects, ensuring a holistic approach to creating a secure educational environment.
The first was that all stakeholders, including teaching and non-teaching staff, management, contractual staff, personnel engaged in extra-curricular activities, volunteers, and associated NGOs, are required to familiarise themselves with Section 19 and Section 21 of the POCSO Act 2012, along with the provisions of the Sexual Harassment at Workplace 2013. On the event of a child reporting a sexual abuse incident, it was highlighted that the counsellor’s role is crucial in providing psychosocial and emotional support to the child victim.
The counsellors appointed under the Goa Education Development Corporation are duty-bound to assist children reporting incidents of child sexual abuse. If the incident is disclosed directly to the counsellor, a written report must be submitted to the police station with intimation to the headmaster. In schools without counsellors, teachers are responsible for documenting incidents reported by children in writing. These reports are then forwarded to the headmaster for submission to the police for investigation.
Every headmaster is obligated to take necessary steps mandated under the POCSO Act 2012 and promptly inform the department within 24 hours.
Notification to the District Child Protection Unit and the GSCPCR is essential, providing additional psycho-social, legal, and rehabilitative support to the child. Schools must install CCTV cameras and warning signs, monitor activities of staff, visitors, and strangers and organise awareness sessions. Staff should be trained on handling abuse disclosures, familiarised with the provisions of the POCSO Act 2012.
Schools are mandated to observe Child Abuse Prevention Week (November 14 – November 20) annually through awareness programmes for all staff, submitting compliance reports to the DoE. Compliance reports are to be sent to the DoE.
