The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012 is a special law to protect children from sexual abuse and exploitation. The Act along with Rules has come into effect from 14th November, 2012. Since, the Act is still at an early stage of implementation, it is premature to conclude that this Act could not be implemented effectively. For effective and better implementation, on the directions of the WCD Ministry at various levels, the State Governments/Union Territories have initiated action to set up the special courts/children courts. As a result, as per information available so far, eighteen States/UTs have designated Special Courts/Children’s Court to try offences under the Act.
Further, the various steps taken by the Government to ensure better implementation of the Act include:
(i) As National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) and State Commissions for Protection of Child Rights (SCPCR) have been designated the role of monitoring authority under the Act, the Ministry has been following up with State Governments to expedite the process of formation of SCPCRs in their States. As a result SCPCRs have been set up in 26 States/UTs.
(ii) Section 39 of the Act requires the State Government to prepare guidelines for use of NGOs, professionals and experts or persons to be associate with the pre-trial and trial stage to assist the child. On request from several State Governments, model guidelines have also been issued to all the State Governments/UT Administrations which can be adopted or adapted by them for better implementation of the said Act.
This was stated by Smt. Krishna Tirath, Minister for Women and Child Development, in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha today.