NCPCR Reviews Implementation of POCSO Guidelines to Support Child Victims in Legal Proceedings

The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) convened a meeting in New Delhi to assess the progress of its model guidelines. These guidelines are designed to provide emotional and psychological support to child victims during legal proceedings under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012. Representatives from 24 states and Union Territories participated in the event at Vigyan Bhawan.

The gathering was organised following a Supreme Court directive, which mandated the adoption of these Guidelines for Support Persons. This directive stemmed from the court's decision in the cases of We the Women of India v. Union of India and Bachpan Bachao Andolan v. Union of India. The guidelines aim to ensure that child victims receive necessary support during legal processes.

Implementation and Monitoring

On July 30, 2024, the Supreme Court ordered all states and Union Territories to implement these guidelines and report their progress to the NCPCR. The guidelines are crucial for providing structured support to child victims through designated support persons. NCPCR Chairperson Priyank Kanoongo emphasised this in his keynote speech.

Kanoongo highlighted that having a Support Person is vital for the rehabilitation of child victims. He stressed that states should maintain an adequate number of support persons relative to pending child abuse cases. Additionally, he urged states to upload details of these individuals on the NCPCR's POCSO Tracking Portal for transparency and effective monitoring.

State Participation and Feedback

Other NCPCR members, including Preeti Bharadwaj Dalal and Divya Gupta, echoed the need for thorough implementation of the guidelines across all districts. They underscored the importance of ensuring that every district adheres to these standards to provide consistent support to victims.

The session also featured an open discussion where state representatives shared their insights on enhancing guideline implementation. This exchange of ideas aimed at refining strategies for better execution and addressing any challenges faced by states in adopting these measures.

The meeting underscored the collective effort required from all stakeholders to ensure that child victims receive timely and effective support during legal proceedings. By working together, states can enhance their response to child abuse cases, ensuring justice and rehabilitation for victims.