PASIGHAT, Jul 18: In view of the proposed awareness campaigns on Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012 to be conducted in the schools of East Siang district, a workshop was organized for the master trainers at the deputy commissioner’s conference hall, here on Wednesday.
The teachers, members of various NGOs, ICDS supervisors, officials of the one-stop centre here and legal practitioners attended the day-long workshop.
Pasighat (HQs) ADC Taddo Borang, who inaugurated the workshop, appealed to all to make efforts to protect the children from all kinds of abuses and exploitation. He hoped the training will help the master trainers in creating awareness among the children about their rights.
District Child Protection Officer cum ICDS Deputy Director Ponung Ering Angu said that every child has the right to access an environment that is protective and safe for them.
She informed about the objective of enacting the POCSO Act, which protects children below 18 years from offences of sexual abuse and harassment and safeguards the interest of children at every stage of the judicial process.
She also highlighted the role of police, NGOs, doctors, judiciary, parents and teachers in protecting children from abuse and maltreatment.
During the workshop, the master trainers were trained on how to reach out to children.
Stating that it is mandatory for every school to create awareness on POCSO Act, she said every school needs to have a nodal teacher to help children in need.
She also informed about the offences covered under the Act and the punishments given under various sections of the law.
Earlier, Child Development Project Officer, ICDS Pasighat and Superintendent Juvenile Home,Pasighat, O Panyang highlighted the provisions under Juvenile Justice (Care & Protection) Act, 2015. Panyang informed that the Child Welfare Committee and Juvenile Justice Board have already been constituted in the district.
The workshop was organized by the district child protection unit and DD ICDS.
The district child protection unit and DD ICDS, Pasighat under the Department of Women & Child Development, with the support of various stakeholders will be organizing awareness camps on POCSO Act in all the schools of East Siang. (DIPRO)
