KOHIMA, May 16 (MExN): The State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (SCPCR) issued an advisory, on May 16, calling for public vigilance and strict adherence to legal protocols following a reported increase in child abuse cases in the state.
The Commission condemned all forms of child abuse, and asserted that perpetrators, be it parents or guardians, must be reported and prosecuted under the law. It particularly discouraged the practice of the parties involved arriving at a compromise, out of court, in such cases, stating this “indirectly encourages the offenders.”
Offences under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012, are non-bailable and cannot be settled through compromise. It said, “Any form of offence has to be punished by any means as per the Law,” and the citizens reminded not to take the law into their own hands.
The SCPCR said that every citizen must ensure child safety and protection. in line with this, it urged the public to immediately report any suspected child abuse to Child Helpline 1098, Special Juvenile Police Units (SJPU), District Child Protection Units (DCPU), Child Welfare Committees (CWC), or the nearest police station.
Media and social media users were advised to maintain ethical standards and refrain from revealing the identities of children involved in abuse cases.
The Commission asserted that it remains committed to protecting every child and will continue to monitor such cases actively. “Vigilance is not optional, it is the duty we owe to every child,” it said.
1.jpg)
