Stakeholders Under Pocso Act While Dealing With Child Victims

Abstract

The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act was devised by the Indian Law makers in 2012 to the criminal justice system of India. Being gender neutral legislation it is primarily concerned with the protection of minors from sexual offences and punishing the offenders. Victims often report of mental and emotional breakdown which in certain cases do not need languages to be expressed by. Such crime leaves behind a smudge of grimy and stern feeling on the victim for the entire life. Such crimes are beyond borders and are one of the most egregious crimes against children and infringes upon their rights in its heinous perpetrator. This is a pertinent and ubiquitous problem in India as well as other parts around the globe. The in-bred misogyny of the Indian society leads to the double victimisation of female child since they are more vulnerable to child sexual abuse and go through poignant angst as patriarchal social constructs preach them to be silent and stoicallyendure pain and suffering and not to express anything that would go against the tough character of men as poised in the Indian society. The state should make policy for the welfare of the victims and entrust various stakeholders to take necessary measures for protection of child from sexual offences.The POCSO rules ensures multiple stakeholders which includes family, law enforcement agencies, medical professionals, judiciary, social welfare bodies, legal representatives to work in co-ordination to deliver justice. The need to bring all relevant stakeholders on one platform to map the problems and emerging issues, as well as identify workable solutions was one of the ways of triggering change on the ground.