Page 140 - Handbook_for_Teachers

7.15 Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act,
2012:

The Ministry of Women and Child Development championed the introduction of the
Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012 to address the heinous

crimes of sexual abuse and sexual exploitation of children through less ambiguous and
more stringent legislation.

CHAPTER 7 : STUDENTS
NOTAbLE

Refer to CBSE guideline on POSCO at the link:
http://cbse.nic.in/circulars/POCSO%20Circular_2015.pdf

The Act defines a child as any person under the age of eighteen and considers the

child's best interests and well-being to be of utmost importance at all stages in ensuring
the child's healthy physical, emotional, intellectual and social development. It defines

multiple forms of sexual abuse, including penetrative and non-penetrative assault, sexual
harassment and pornography, and considers a sexual assault to be "aggravated" under

certain circumstances, such as when the abused child is mentally ill or when the abuse
is committed by a person in a position of trust or authority towards the child, such as a

family member, police officer, teacher, or doctor. Individuals trafficking children for sexual
purposes are also punishable under the law's abetment provisions. The Act prescribes

severe punishment graded according to the gravity of the offense, with a maximum
duration of life imprisonment and fine.

NOTAbLE

For more details refer to:
http://ncpcr.gov.in/showfile.php?lang=1&level=1&&sublinkid=1397&lid=1550

138 Handbook for Teachers