POCSO Victim's Condition Is Of Betrayed Trust, Rehabilitation Of Child Equally Important As Punishing Offender : Justice Ravindra Bhat

The Supreme Court Committee on Juvenile Justice, in association with UNICEF, has organized a two-day National Consultation on the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 (POCSO).

Addressing the gathering, Justice S. Ravindra Bhat, Chairperson of the Supreme Court Juvenile Justice Committee said, "A POCSO victim's condition could be described as one of 'betrayed trust and innocence lost, of mind in strife and stolen life'." He shared the view that strengthening the POCSO Act and its implementation is a significant responsibility for all the stakeholders.

"Unfortunately, the POCSO Act is often understood rather unidimensionally, the focus being on effective prosecution and conviction of the perpetrator. Due to the abhorrent nature of the crime where the young children are victims, securing punishment corners much of our attention. For the very same reason focus on restorative justice in the form of child's rehabilitation and healing is equally important. Balancing these while focusing on a child centric and right's-based approach which are the pillars of our juvenile justice system necessitate a review of how different stakeholders are adapting to the special rigours and facilitating the wide protection that this legislation affords children."

Justice Bhat pointed out that the Juvenile Justice Committee is a platform which is bringing together various stakeholders attempting towards a unified approach towards issues concerning protection of children in conflict with law and those needing care and protection and to further children's rights keeping interest of the child at the core. He further expressed that, "It requires multi-level collaboration across institutions and stake holders and nuanced engagement with both their positive and negative experiences to enlist good practices capable of replication and as cautionary lessons to learn from".

Addressing the gathering ,he shared that the National Consultation has been preceded by each states' Juvenile Justice Commission's context based review of the various facets of the implementation of the law at the regional level of the States. He also expressed that the Consultation "offers a chance to share notes and learn from one another who are facing similar challenges across state borders."

"The challenge of realising POCSO Acts objective involves bridging the gaps between protection offered by the law and its implementation by the stakeholders of the Juvenile Justice System which includes all of you, the police, probation officers, juvenile justice boards, child welfare committees, state governments, child care institutions, district magistrates, NGOs, Advocates and Others who really are the foot soldiers that can translate the protection the juvenile justice system and a POCSO ecosystem has to offer", Justice Bhat said.

He expressed hope that the 2 day event would yield solutions to the challenges being faced in the common endeavour to achieve effective and swift justice to the victims of POCSO and importantly to restore their confidence in themselves and society and help pull them out from the dark abyss of victimhood.

Also read : CJI DY Chandrachud Urges Parliament To Consider Concerns About Age Of Consent Under POCSO Act