The Department of Education, District South, organized a POCSO Act Awareness and Cyber Security workshop at Amity International School, Pushp Vihar on 27th April, 2024. Principal Ms Tania Joshi, Headmistress Ms Sheeja Menon and Ms. Neha Sharma (special educator) attended the workshop.
The objective of the session was to create awareness about the landmark law, the POCSO Act 2012, and cyber security, to protect children from sexual abuse and also to understand the significance of providing a safe learning environment for children as well as to comprehend the role and responsibilities of all stakeholders. The emphasis was on the need for the educators to help children celebrate childhood and at the same time empower the children to be responsible, assertive and self- confident.
Ms Madhu Jain, District Judge (South Delhi) initiated the programme by explaining the significance of the POCSO Act. The very need of the Act was discussed and the importance to make child friendly provisions was explained. Childhood experiences have a strong bearing on the mental health of the child, and if left unattended, can negatively impact socio-emotional development.
Ms Jyoti Maheshwari, DLSA Secretary, navigated the intricacies of the Act, highlighting its salient features that encompass a broad definition of sexual offences, dedicated special courts for swift trials, identity protection for child victims, mandatory reporting obligations, child-friendly investigation procedures, time-bound trials, stringent punishments for offenders, and a focus on rehabilitation and support for victims. She recommended a steps to be taken by schools to ensure the safety and security of students.
The showcasing of KOMAL, a prescribed video related to 'good touch and bad touch', was advised, as was also the necessity of every school having a school ID card system for teaching and non-teaching staff members, parents, and other individuals who enter the school premises. The significance of police verification of all school employees, the formation of a School Complaint Committee, the exhibition of an online POCSO e-box and the Child Helpline 1098 on the school website were reiterated.
Ms Komal, Cyber Security Inspector, drew the attention of the attendees to the vulnerability of children in cyber crimes. She emphasized that a majority of cyber cases go unreported as children fear telling reporting to others while some fail to realise that their profiles on social media are being misused. She provided information about the cyber crime helpline number 1930, which may be used by children when in trouble. Ms Komal shared incidents where victims who shared their personal information or pictures had their safety compromised, and later were blackmailed by their so-called online friends.
Ms Komal discussed various issues such as identity theft, cyber terrorism, stalking, cyber bullying, online banking frauds and explicit sexual content. She advised the participants to use ‘Two Step Security’, which involves maintaining robust settings on the web as well as in applications, and ensuring a safe usage of debit and credit cards. Ms Komal not only guided us on how to be secure while being online but also talked about the penalty and punishment to be borne for committing cyber crimes under the Indian Cyber Law.
The workshop served as a crucial step in empowering school authorities and teachers to fulfill their duties as protectors of children’s rights and safety. Schools were encouraged to conduct similar awareness programmes internally to sensitize teachers and non teaching staff as well as the students.
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