Ms Geetanjali Goel conducted a session on “Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO) on 18 September 2023.The workshop on the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act was organized with the primary objective of educating teachers on the legal framework, responsibilities, provisions and best practices related to child protection. She discussed the important features of this Act like complete privacy, specialized courts, age of consent is irrelevant, mandatory reporting and gender neutrality. Ms. Geetanjali also shed light on the processes under the POCSO Act like processes at the police station, at the Child Welfare Committee, for the medical examination of the child, at the Special Court and the role of Police. Case studies and real-life scenarios were presented to enhance their ability to identify possible victims. She stressed on the Juvenile Justice Act highlighting reforms and punitive measures for the juvenile offenders.The workshop also explored preventive measures, including the importance of age-appropriate sex education, open communication with students, and building a culture of trust within the school community. The workshop served as a crucial step in empowering teachers to fulfill their duty as protectors of children’s rights and safety.
