Researchers, police, prosecution officers and representatives of various non-governmental organisations (NGOs) discussed ways for better implementation of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012, and bring down crime against children.

They participated in a one-day workshop jointly organised by the National Law School of India University (NLSIU), Bengaluru, Damodaram Sanjeevaiah National Law University (DSNLU), Visakhapatnam, NGOs CRAF, World Vision, Help and other organisations here on Tuesday.

Women Development and Child Welfare (WD&CW) Special Commissioner H. Arun Kumar, the chief guest, asked the participants to chalk out an action plan for paying compensation to victims and speedy disposal of cases.

Juvenile Welfare department Joint Director B.D.V. Prasada Murthy, Prosecutions (Director) Byra Ramakoteswara Rao, CID Additional SP K.G.V. Saritha, State Legal Services Authority (SLSA) Member Secretary Krupa Sagar, AP State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (AP SCPCR) Chairperson G. Hymavathi, NLSIU senior research officer Anuroopa Giliyal, DSNLU researcher Vijaya Lakshmi and other officers spoke.

Child Rights Advocacy Foundation (CRAF) director Francis Thambi said the NLSIU, in association with some NGOs, conducted a study on implementation of POCSO Act, and made some recommendations. The participants stressed speedy implementation of the recommendations, said Help secretary N. Ram Mohan.

Child-friendly courts

Mr. Arun Kumar said that child-friendly courts would be established in all districts in the State.

The first such court would be inaugurated in Guntur soon.

The child-friendly court would take steps to prevent identification of victims and for rendering justice to them, he said.

The officers deliberated on training for prosecution officers, doctors and police personnel in dealing with the cases, conducting awareness programmes and counselling victims and their parents to increase conviction rate.

During an interactive session, the officers of various departments and organisations debated on filing of cases, collection of scientific evidence, filing of chargesheets in courts, age determination of victims, providing protection for victims, invoking of appropriate sections and other topics which will increase the conviction rate.

WD&CW department assistant project director V. Swaroopa Rani, District Child Protection Officer Ch. Vijay Kumar and other officers were present.