“Legal Awareness and Sensitization Program in
Ishwar Chand Vidhya Sagar School, Subharti Puram, Meerut”
Jagriti – A Special Awareness Program on the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, Safe Childhood, Safe Future, at Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar Shramik Bal Vidyalaya, Subhartipuram, Meerut was organized by Subharti Institute of Law, in collaboration with the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA), Meerut. This special awareness program was organized under the direction of Hon’ble Justice Rajesh Chandra (Former Justice), Director of Subharti Law College—Allahabad High Court, Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh—and under the guidance of Prof. (Dr.) Reena Bishnoi, Dean of Subharti Law College. Dr. Sarika Tyagi, Convener of the Law Club, stated that the objective of this special awareness program was to sensitize boys and girls regarding the POCSO Act. In an interactive session, she explained that the POCSO Act—specifically, the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012—is a stringent law designed to provide protection to children under the age of 18 against crimes such as sexual exploitation, molestation, and exposure to pornography. Action is initiated under this Act against any individual who engages in any form of sexual exploitation involving children under the age of 18. This legislation was enacted to curb instances of sexual harassment, sexual exploitation, pornography, and molestation perpetrated against minors. This law provides for distinct punishments for various offenses. It was explained that when someone touches you in a manner that evokes feelings of love, affection, and security, it constitutes a “Good Touch”—examples include a parent’s loving embrace, a gentle stroke on the head, a pat on the back, or a high-five from friends. Such interactions do not cause the child any fear or discomfort. However, when someone touches you in a way you dislike—or in a manner that makes you feel strange, frightened, or uncomfortable—it is considered a “Bad Touch.” Examples of this include being forcibly held, having one’s private parts touched with malicious intent, or being inappropriately made to sit on someone’s lap; it also encompasses situations where someone threatens you—demanding that you refrain from taking action or telling anyone—in exchange for their touch, or engages in any indecent act. A significant aspect of this law is that it is gender-neutral. Your first course of action should be to inform your parents, or an elder brother or sister, about any such incident. Ms.Shalini Goyal, Lecturer explained that offenses under the POCSO Act are considered extremely serious crimes, for which provisions exist to impose the strictest possible punishment upon the guilty party. Any individual found guilty of committing such an offense faces a sentence ranging from a minimum of three years up to life imprisonment, depending on the severity of the crime as defined by this Act. If a case is registered against an individual for committing crimes such as the sexual abuse of a minor, that individual is not eligible for bail under any circumstances. If you, or someone you know, have been a victim of sexual abuse, you can file a complaint under the POCSO Act. The first step is to contact the police and report the incident. You may either visit the police station in person or call the police helpline number to register your complaint. If such an incident occurs while you are traveling to or from school, you may also confide in your school teacher. It is imperative to speak up; you must not remain silent.
During the awareness session, special assistance was provided by Mrs. Kiran, the Principal of Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar Shramik Bal Vidyalaya.
