Indore: Implementation and execution of Protection of Children from Sexual Offence (POCSO) Act in our country is in a very poor state. The situation of pending cases under the Act is such that even if no more new cases are registered from today onwards, it would take more than 15 years to dispose of the already registered cases, said Nobel laureate Kailash Satyarthi while addressing media here on Tuesday.
Satyarthi was in Indore to attend his flagship campaign against child sexual abuse and trafficking ‘Bharat Yatra’ which touched the city during its 11,000 km journey across the country before reaching its next destination Bhopal on Wednesday. “15,000 cases were registered under POCSO Act in 2016 and punishment was handed over to the accused in only four per cent cases. While six per cent cases saw acquittal of the accused, 90 per cent cases are still pending with the court. Similarly, 96 per cent cases registered in 2015 are yet to be disposed of,” he said.
Terming it as injustice with the law as well as the victim, Satyarthi appealed government to setup special courts in every district to hear the cases against child sexual abuse and trafficking and bring them their logical conclusion. “I also request all the district administrations to constitute a committee, consisting of a paediatrician, psychiatrist, advocate and police, in government hospitals to facilitate poor victims who otherwise cannot afford a psychiatrist and bear the brunt for years by confining selves inside their houses,” the Nobel Laureate said.
Advocating heavy crackdown on pornography, Satyarthi said that it should be banned and the government needs to work hard with IT experts to entirely stop its access on net. “Making a law against it will not solve the problem but the ban will,” he added. Earlier on the day, a rally was taken out from Holkar College to Devi Ahilya Vishva Vidhyalaya (DAVV) University Campus, which saw a large number of youths raising slogans of ‘stop child abuse’ and ‘down with sexual assault’ to spread mass awareness on the cause.
Addressing the gathering at DAVV auditorium, Satyarthi administered oath of making the city safe for children to people. He also sensitised the students on the urgency of standing up and breaking the taboo that has been preventing people from raising voice against the ever increasing menace of child abuse without fear. Meanwhile, taking inspiration from the Nobel Laureate, Indore Management Association during an event at The Daly College on Tuesday also pledged to work towards the cause in underprivileged children.
Another motivated citizen, Sanjay Singh said that he had never seen such a huge non-political rally fighting for a noble cause. The enthusiasm was such that he didn’t even mind taking a day’s off from his job to join the marchers and pledge for ‘Surakshit Bachpan-Surakshit Bharat’.
The Bharat Yatra, which started on September 11 from Kanyakumari, will conclude at New Delhi on October 16 after covering 11,000 kilometres across 22 States. Satyarthi has been campaigning for freedom, safety and security of children across the globe for the past 36 years.
15,000 cases were registered under POCSO Act in 2016 and punishment was handed over to the accused in only four per cent cases. While six per cent cases saw acquittal of the accused, 90 per cent cases are still pending with the court. Similarly, 96 per cent cases registered in 2015 are yet to be disposed of – Kailash Satyarthi Child Rights Activist and Nobel Laureate