Awareness programme on POCSO organized in Meghalaya

A Correspondent

SHILLONG: A sensitization and awareness programme on the Protection Of Children Against Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act 2012, Juvenile Justice Act, 2015 and Adoption Regulation for traditional heads and residents of Shillong was held here on Saturday.

Speaking as the resource person at the gathering, chairperson of State Commission for Child Protection (SCPCR), Meena Kharkongor said that the awareness programme was meant to sensitise the citizens against the need to safeguard children from being abused.

Kharkongor also expressed her concern over the fact that due to the

delay in convicting the accused, children who are victims of sexual abuse have to undergo mental stress every time they go for a hearing.

“As per the Juvenile Justice Act, a child victim has to undergo counseling so that they forget the trauma,” the SCPCR chairperson pointed out.

So also called upon all the stakeholders to cooperate so that cases of child abuse are wiped out from the society.

Meanwhile, IS Rapthap, programme manager of the Integrated Child Protection Scheme enlightened those present about the Juvenile Justice Act.

According to Rapthap, for the Juvenile Justice Act, the target groups are those children who are in need of care and protection.

“Such children are those who stay on the streets, whose one or both parents are in jail who those who are victims of kidnapping and trafficking,” the ICPS programme manager said.

Also Read: Apex Court Stresses Speedy DNA Tests Under POCSO Act

Also Watch: Burglars breaks into a house in Lumding, steal 21-tola Gold and cash of Rs 45,000