An awareness session on the Protection of Children from Sexual
Offences Act (POCSO Act) was conducted by Mrs. Tejashri Shinde and Mr.
Kshir Sagar, the Police Sub Inspectors (PSI) of MHB Colony, Police Station,
Borivali West for the children and staff of Bosco Boys Home, Borivali on 03th
November 2018 from 10.00 am to 11.30 am which was organised by Deacon. Romero D’Souza
and the CWC staff.
Fr. Corlis Gonsalves, the Director of the
Institute, welcomed them and thanked them for their kind initiative and service
offered to the institute. The session was organised to make the children and
the staff aware of the help offered to them by the Law to make the children
feel free, happy and secure. The Director, while introducing the resource persons,
Mrs. Tejashree Shinde and Mr. Kshirsagar said “They have not come to this place
to scare us, but have come here to share their knowledge on the sensitive topic
related to ‘Good touch and bad touch’ and in coming years they will give their
full support of helping and empowering to our boys.”
The session started with PSI Shinde explaining
to the children about The
Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO Act). The act was
established to protect the children against offences like sexual abuse, sexual
harassment and pornography. It was formed to provide a child-friendly system
for trial underneath which the perpetrators could be punished. The Act defines
a child as any person below eighteen years of age. It also makes provisions for
avoiding the re-victimisation of the child at the hands of the judicial system.
In her talk, she explained to the children about good touch and bad touch and
to be open and share their problems without any fear to their friends, staff or
the management. She encouraged children not to hide things but to go for
regular counselling to the house counsellor. She also spoke to the
children about inner circle (parents/grandparents/ guardian/close friends/Teachers,
Staff, Management) and outer circle (any stranger who we are not knowing or are
uncomfortable) to which they can share their problems. She said, “When we go through any problems or
bad situation in life, we can share it with our inner circle or you can contact
or phone police 100 and 1098 (child line) who will come to help you in
emergency.”
She emphasized to the children that the law
and the Police are always ready to help them from danger but also stressed that
if they are caught lying to the Law, then they are also liable for punishment. She
even mentioned that the children’s belonging to age of 7 years are not treated
as criminal due to their immaturity but children above 10 years if they commit
mistake are treated as criminal because they are mature and are not innocent. She told the children to be good and
not to steal, lie, fight or swear. She shared, “You children are very
important. We love you and care for you. You should not be scared of
police, we are here to protect and guide you, and since you are the future of
the Society and it is our moral responsibility to help you to grow in all
aspects of life. As children you should develop ‘good habit and moral values’
which will enable you to become good responsible citizens of the society.” She
concluded her session by informing the children to treat her as part of their
inner circle be open to share with any difficulty they come across. She
promised the children that she will visit them every month.
“This session opened my eyes and also made me little
scared. Now I will think twice before doing any wrong things. I will be a good
boy.” shared Daniel Rodrigues one of the children.
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