Yashashvi Gahlot, LLB, Amity Law School, Noida, Uttar Pradesh
CHAPTER I
INTRODUCTION TO THE CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE AND POCSO ACT INTRODUCTION
Child sexual abuse is a heinous crime that violates a child's rights, jeopardizes their physical and emotional well-being, and leaves deep scars that can last a lifetime. The Indian government recognized the need to protect children from sexual exploitation and enacted the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act in 2012. The POCSO Act aims to provide a legal framework to protect children from sexual abuse and exploitation by providing stringent punishments for sexual offences against children, defining child-friendly procedures for the investigation and trial of such offences, and promoting the rehabilitation and reintegration of child victims.
Despite its well-intentioned objectives, the POCSO Act has faced criticism on several fronts. Some critics have questioned the effectiveness of the Act in addressing the root causes of child sexual abuse, such as social and cultural norms that perpetuate gender inequality, lack of awareness about the issue, and inadequate access to education and healthcare. Others have raised concerns about the implementation of the Act, citing delays in the investigation and prosecution of cases, lack of resources for victim rehabilitation, and the need for greater sensitivity and understanding of the needs of child victims.
