To address the rise in cases of sexual harassment faced by children in schools and elsewhere, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has asked schools to educate not just parents but also the children themselves. It has urged them to motivate children to report their complaints directly on POCSO e-box, an initiative by National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR).
NCPCR had developed The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO) e-Box to facilitate easy and direct reporting of sexual offences against and by children so that action can be taken under the POCSO Act, 2012.
A circular issued by CBSE has urged schools to popularise the e-box by talking about it during parent-teacher meetings, display related information on notice boards, school magazines and its walls and educate school counsellors and students during the regular assemblies.
The schools have also been asked to screen a national award-winning film ‘Komal’ to create awareness among school children about inappropriate touching.
The circular states: Childhood is the period of both ignorance and innocence. Teachers, parents and all concerned adults should try to keep children safe from any kind of abuse. Within our different areas of responsibility, guided by policy, legislation and experience, we should take steps to provide what is best for children. One important step in this regard can be equipping and empowering children at the right age.” It added that the ministry of Women and Child Development, Government of India, had commissioned ‘Komal’ which has been uploaded and made available on CBSE YouTube channel.”
Students can file complaint on e-box if they face harassment by:
Family member, relatives
School
School bus, van
Blackmail
Internet, phone
Market
