Anti-Child Abuse Guidelines

New Delhi, December 16, 2013: As per data maintained by the National Crime Records Bureau, the number of cases of crime against children which includes violence, sexual violence and abuse has increased over the years. The Government of India has recently enacted a special law “Protection of Children against sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012” which has come into effect from 14th November, 2012. Section 39 of the Act requires the State Governments to prepare guidelines for use of NGOs, professional and experts or persons to be associated with the pre-trial and trial stage to assist the child. On request from several State Governments, Model Guidelines were developed by the Ministry of Women and Child Development and sent to all the State Governments/UT Administrations in September, 2013, which can be adopted or adapted by them for better implementation of the said Act. Further, as per Report of National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR), five States/Union Territories (Tamil Nadu, Meghalaya, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh and Chandigarh) have confirmed formulation of guidelines for various stakeholders.

This was stated by Krishna Tirath, Minister for Women and Child Development, in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha today.