Kerala government to establish committee to fast track POSCO cases

The government of Kerala on Tuesday has decided to set up a committee headed by the Chief Secretary to look into cases related to sexual exploitation of children under the Prevention of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POSCO). This decision comes in the aftermath of the recent acquittal of three accused in a POSCO case. The case in question is related to the death of two sisters who were sexually abused in the town of Walayar of Palakkad in 2017.

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Vijayan chairs a high-level meeting to discuss POSCO cases

The Chief Minister of Kerala Pinarayi Vijayan chaired a high-level meeting to discuss POSCO cases and decided to form a committee. The committee will be formed under Chief Secretary Tom Jose with the aim to ensure efficient handling of cases and their disposal at the earliest. Furthermore, the committee will include secretaries of Home, Education, Health, Social justice, Law, SC/ST development departments. The committee will be required to submit its report to the state government once in two months. Vijayan said that more funds will be allowed to set up POCSO courts to dispose of cases at the earliest.

Vijayan stated that counselling facilities should be made available for children in all schools and they should be encouraged to speak about any assault, including any inside their houses. Training will be given to counsellors in this regard and an awareness of the law, he added. The Chief Minister further stated that proper sex education should be included in the school syllabus and directed police and excise authorities to ensure that the sale of alcohol and narcotic substances should be strictly prohibited near schools. Vijayan said that consideration should be given when children come with complaints and to handle them psychologically.

The high-level meeting also decided to strengthen the cyber forensic laboratory to help in preventing crimes against children. Vijayan further stated that the police and social department should work to identify houses where women stay alone (mother and daughters). Such families should be given protection, Vijayan added. Among other points raised in the meeting was about spreading awareness among parents to avoid their children being subjected to any kind of violence. CM Vijayan said that "Education department should ensure this and the PTA meetings in schools should be used for this also the child welfare officers in every police station must be in regular contact with schools in their area.”

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Apex child rights body and IIT-K has developed a kit to spread awareness 

In August, the apex child rights body in collaboration with the IIT Kanpur had developed a kit to spread awareness about sexual abuse among children. The kit uses interactive means to teach them about personal safety, respecting their body and overcoming guilt. The kit is a set of cards, posters, short animation clips, and games. All of these can be used by teachers or an NGO to conduct an interactive workshop for children about sexual-abuse awareness, according to the minutes of the 38th statutory meeting of the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR).

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(With inputs ANI)