DCPU Tseminyu, in collaboration with District Administration, conducted an awareness programme on the POCSO Act, 2012, at Phenwhenyu Village Council Hall.
Tseminyu, July 31 (MExN): The District Child Protection Unit (DCPU), Tseminyu, in collaboration with the District Administration, conducted an awareness programme on the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012, at Phenwhenyu Village Council Hall.
The sensitization drive aimed to raise awareness among village councils, GBs, Mothers’ associations, churches, youth organisations and student unions about their roles and responsibilities in child protection, stated a press releas received here.
Kvulo Kent, Project Coordinator of Child Helpline Tseminyu, chaired the programme with invocation by Hisinlo Khing, Lead Pastor of Phenwhenyu Baptist Church.
Mhathung Ngullie, NCS, EAC Tseminyu, speaking on behalf of the District Administration, highlighted the sensitivity of POCSO and importance of everyone understanding the law. He also stressed that “customary laws must not remain static but evolve with time to protect children better.”
Janet P Swu, District Child Protection Officer, DCPU Tseminyu, presented an overview of the District Child Protection Unit and its key objectives. She addressed the gathering and stated that the DCPU, Tseminyu was launched in October 2024 under Mission Vatsalya. She highlighted that Child Helpline 1098 functions under the DCPU which also works in coordination with the Child Welfare Committee (CWC), Juvenile Justice Board (JJB) and Special Juvenile Police Unit (SJPU).
She further explained the range of services provided under the DCPU, including both institutional care (IC) and non-institutional care (NIC) and the implementation of child-related legislations. Emphasizing that child protection is not the sole responsibility of any one department, she urged all community leaders to actively share in this collective responsibility to safeguard children.
The special guest, Er Tesinlo Semy, President of Rengma Hoho, emphasised the sensitivity of POCSO cases and urged all community leaders to take proactive roles in safeguarding children.
Loshule Himb, Women Coordinator of Rengma Selo Zi, also expressed her organisation’s commitment and extended support to the DCPU in its ongoing child protection initiatives
‘Protection begins with awareness’
The main session on the POCSO Act, 2012, was led by Adv Neivotuonuo Rutsa, Legal cum Probation Officer, DCPU Tseminyu. “Protection begins with awareness,” said Neivotuonuo Rutsa, as she led the session. She emphasised that ignorance of the law is no excuse and reminded community leaders that they are the first line of defence when a child faces abuse. Under Section 19, reporting offences is mandatory and failure to do so can lead to imprisonment of up to six months.
She also clarified that those who report in good faith are legally protected, no civil or criminal case can be filed against them. Referring to Section 23, she warned that disclosing a child victim’s identity is a punishable offence.
On the matter of compromise, she was unequivocal that POCSO cases cannot be privately settled or closed by mutual agreement. She cited a landmark Supreme Court judgment which held that sexual offences against children are not personal disputes but grave crimes against society that cannot be condoned under any circumstance.
She pointed out that covering up child abuse does not protect a family’s honour. Instead, it shields the abuser and puts the next child at risk.She urged the leaders of Kasha Daho, Tseminyu, to stand strong alongside the DCPU so that no child in Tseminyu is ever left unprotected.
A session on Mission Shakti was subsequently conducted by Victoria Kent, District Mission Coordinator, DHEW Tseminyu. She explained that the scheme is divided into two key components : Sambal, which focuses on support services and Samarthya, which promotes women's empowerment. She also highlighted the Women Helpline number 181 and the services available through the Shakti One Stop Centre.
The vote of thanks was delivered by Jetilo Apon, Chairman of the Child Welfare Committee, Tseminyu while benediction was pronounced by Sam Tep, Pastor of Kashanyishin Baptist Church.
