Child Welfare Officers should lose no time in acting swiftly on complaints of sexual assault against children and minors, help in getting adequate compensation for the victims and conviction for the accused, speakers said at a workshop held here on Tuesday.
Detailed guidelines and protocols have been spelt out clearly for the Child Welfare Officers while dealing with sexual assault cases on minors and keep themselves updated about the progress of such cases, the speakers further said.
The day-long workshop on Child Marriage and POCSO Act meant for the Child Welfare Officers attached to Tiruchi Rural Police was organised jointly by the Anti -Child Trafficking Unit Police, Tiruchi, Childline 1098 Nodal Organisation Bishop Heber College and the Federation of Violence Against Children, Tiruchi.
Police officers nominated as Child Welfare Officers and those from the Anti-Human Trafficking Unit, numbering around 40, participated in the programme.
Speaking on the occasion, Additional Superintendent of Police, Prohibition and Enforcement Wing, Tiruchi, V.R. Srinivasan called upon the Child Welfare Officers to keep a regular follow-up of the progress made in respect of POCSO Act cases reported in their respective jurisdiction.
With information spreading viral through social media regarding such cases, it was essential for the them to remain alert and act swiftly on complaints by adhering to protocols and specified guidelines.
P. Mohan, Member, Tamil Nadu State Commission for Protection of Child Rights, said Child Welfare Officers should provide greater awareness among public on the social evil of child marriage, which would help in curbing it in the long run. Child Welfare Officers should make it a point to visit registered children homes in their jurisdiction to ensure safety of children accommodated in them.
Advocate S. Martin of Federation of Violence Against Children, Tiruchi, spoke on POCSO Act, while advocate T. Jayanthi Ranee spoke on the role of police in respect of POCSO Act.