BIS #5689 AWARENESS ON THE POCSO ACT

by Brother Jittin Mathew and Eustace Fernandes

MUMBAI, NOV 6, 2018: Staff and students of Bosco Boys Home, Borivli attended an awareness session on the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO Act), which was conducted by Tejashri Shinde and Kshir Sagar, the Police Sub Inspectors (PSI) of MHB Colony, Police Station on November 3. 

Father Corlis Gonsalves, the Director of the Institute, welcomed the speakers and thanked them for their kind initiative and service offered. The session was organised to make the children and staff aware of the help offered to them by the law to ensure the young feel free, happy and secure.


Father Gonsalves, while introducing the resource persons, said, “They have not come to this place to scare us but have come here to share their knowledge on the sensitive topic related to ‘Good touch and bad touch’ and in the coming years they will give their full support towards helping and empowering our boys.”

The session began with PSI Shinde explaining to the children about the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO Act). The act was established to protect children against offenses like sexual abuse, sexual harassment, and pornography. It was formed to provide a child-friendly system for trial under which the perpetrators could be punished.

The Act defines a child as any person below eighteen years of age. It also makes provisions for avoiding the re-victimization of the child at the hands of the judicial system. In her talk, she explained to the children about good touch and bad touch and to be open and share their problems without any fear to their friends, staff or the management.
 
PSI Shinde encouraged children not to hide things but to go for regular counselling to the in-house counsellor. She also spoke to the children about their inner circle, namely their parents, grandparents, guardians, close friends, and teachers and the outer circle which includes strangers.

 “When we go through any problems or bad situation in life, we can share it with our inner circle or you can contact or phone police 100 and 1098 (Childline) who will come to help you in an emergency,” PSI Shinde, said.


She emphasised to the children that the law and the police are always ready to help them from danger but also stressed that if they are caught lying, then they are also liable for punishment. She even mentioned that children under 7 years are not treated as criminal due to their immaturity but children between 7-12 years, if found to commit an offense may be treated as a criminal, if established that they had the maturity to understand the consequences of their action.

PSI Shinde told the children to be good and not to steal, lie, fight or swear. “You children are very important. We love you and care for you. You should not be scared of the police. We are here to protect and guide you. Since you are the future of our society, it is our moral responsibility to help you grow in all aspects of life. As children you should develop good habits and moral values which will enable you to become good responsible citizens of the society,” PSI Shinde, said.

“This session opened my eyes and also made me little scared. Now I will think twice before doing any wrong things. I will be a good boy,” Daniel Rodrigues, a student-participant, said.