MNLU Mumbai: 1st Training Workshop On Child Care And Protection With Special Emphasis On POCSO Law

Child abuse is a grave issue in our society. Instances of child abuse are either under-reported or are not adequately covered under child protection laws. A dearth of child-serving professionals adds to this misery. In addition to having an adequate number of experts, it is essential that they are skilled in reporting child abuse and neglect. The top-most priority for any State or organisation should be to put efforts to address violence against children. As per the 2011 Census, Women and children together constitute a total of 67.7% of the country's population.

According to the latest report by The Ministry of Women and Child Development a total of 7595 cases were registered under the POCSO Act. Uttar Pradesh (2973) topped the tally, followed by Bihar (511), Delhi (437), Haryana (411), Rajasthan (410) and Madhya Pradesh (374).

These figures compel us to ponder over our existing laws and the duties of our enforcement agencies. The enactment of 'The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012' was formulated to reduce child abuse in India, but the improper implementation, lack of special courts combined with a lack of sensitization among Special Public Prosecutors and faulty investigation procedures, casts a shadow on the whole Justice System. In 2019, amendments to the POCSO Act extended the range of offences, seeking the death penalty in cases of aggravated penetrative sexual assault, and a gender neutral approach while delivering justice. Despite these amendments, the rate of child abuse in India unfortunately persists. With new forms of child abuses and harassment emerging, it is becoming a challenge to tackle such cases and devise new strategies to combat them.

Maharashtra National Law University, Mumbai (MNLU Mumbai) places considerable emphasis on research and training and thus aspires to be identified as a world class research and training University. This initiative at MNLU Mumbai is the result of the realization that training is generally a neglected territory even in the best of schools. Even the creation of a chain of elite law schools around the world is largely unable to foster a culture of training and research at the grassroots level. The lack of skill, knowledge, legal awareness and competence in the area of Child Rights has contributed to the decay in understanding the

handling of child victims. Enacting the POCSO Act, 2012 alone cannot become a source for considering and influencing policy matters, judicial reforms and judicial administration.

Enforcement agencies and professionals working specifically in this area need to be trained and educated about how to handle victims and cases reported under this Act.

In this context, the Centre for Advanced Legal Studies, Training & Research(CALSTR) and Centre for Information, Communications and Technology law (CICTL), and the PRO BONO Club were set up to contribute to academic, research and training activities relating to existing, contemporary and futuristic law and policy which also includes providing pro bono services. The Centres, in the past have conducted numerous Training and Research workshops and Conferences especially in the area of:

• Training Workshop on Electronic Evidence
• International Conference on " IoT and Law"
• Colloquium on "Dispute Resolution: Understanding challenges, approaches and opportunities in India and Singapore"
• Intermediary responsibility in the light of intermediary Rules 2021
• Keeping the aforesaid view in mind the Centres have taken it upon themselves to launch a capacity-building initiative in a series of training programs for professionals in different streams.

About Project Mumbai

Project Mumbai is a not for profit model of public-private-people partnership that focuses on Healthcare, Environment, Governance, Education, Nutrition, Volunteerism and implementable solutions.

While Project Mumbai goes by the tag line 'Mumbai Ke Liye Kuchh Bhi Karega', it has during the pandemic worked across over 20 districts of Maharashtra alone.

Not just citizens but some of the best known corporates have worked closely and continue to support our initiatives which include the Tata group, State Bank of India, Asian Paints, Facebook, Uber, Unilever, Essar, Wipro, JP Morgan, Avendus, State Bank of India, just to name a few.

People of eminence including Amitabh Bachchan, Katrina Kaif, Alia Bhat, Vicky Kaushal, Ayushmann Khurana, Aamir Khan, John Abraham too are among those who have voluntarily contributed to our causes.

Project Mumbai works across spheres--with MCGM we are building a road mapping initiative, a large mental health initiative for school children, beautifying 150 roads of the city through volunteer driven painting, providing educational support to children who cannot afford school fees.

Objectives

The core objective of the workshop is to develop skills of the participants in the areas of investigation, handling of children, role of Prosecutors, Police, social workers, teachers as well as scholars and applicability of POCSO laws through interactive practical sessions, visual aids and other technologies.

The proposed training interaction is to be geared to achieve the following objectives:

• To understand various forms of child abuse and it's after effects
• To assess the effectiveness of training aimed at improving reporting of child abuse and neglect by various professionals
• To develop an understanding and awareness within our surroundings in terms of child psychology
• To investigate possible components of effective training interventions.
• To understand the effectiveness of POCSO and other related laws

Focal Themes

Following are some of the areas likely to be focused in this programme:

• Child Sexual Abuse: Law and Policy
• Child Forensic interviewing
• Status of Special Courts and Judicial interventions
• Emotional Intelligence
• Online Child abuse, dating and Grooming apps
• Challenges during Investigation of Child Abuse cases
• Support services and counselling

Level of Participation

Members of various Departments and Schools, Social-workers, Prosecutors, Law officers, Medical officers, Police officials, research executives, and Research scholars working in this area could to be involved in this workshop.

Duration

In view of the types of inputs to be covered in this workshop, the duration of one day would be sufficient. 1st October 2022 from 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM.

Participation

Asian/other foreign delegates- 50 USD.

Indian delegates- Rs. 1000/

Registration

Due to an anticipated oversubscription of the training programme, participation therein will be strictly subject to nomination and selection.

Prospective participants may fill the registration form link and send request electronically to: academicevents@mnlumumbai.edu.in

This should reach to us on or before 15th September, 2022. The participants shall submit the registration fee along with the prescribed Google form of registration only after getting confirmation.

General Information

• Workshop Mode is Offline/ Online for all Participants.
• Lunch and tea will be provided to all participants.
• No accommodation shall be provided.
• There is no "On the Spot Registration"
• No TA/DA will be paid.

ORGANISING COMMITTEE: -

PROF. (DR.) DILIP UKEY

VICE CHANCELLOR, MNLU MUMBAI PATRON

MR. SHISHIR JOSHI CEO & FOUNDER PROJECT MUMBAI

CO- PATRON

PROF. (DR.) ANIL G. VARIATH

REGISTRAR I/C, MNLU MUMBAI (CO PATRON)

Faculty Coordinators

Dr. Swapnil Bangali Director CICTL, MNLU Mumbai

Dr. Harita Bangali Center In Charge CALSTAR, MNLU Mumbai Dr. Garima Pal Member CALSTAR, MNLU Mumbai

Dr. Anand N Raut Deputy Director CICTL, MNLU Mumbai