What happened (stated Government measures under POCSO)
The Ministry of Women and Child Development stated that the Government prioritises ensuring the safety and security of children under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) framework. The Ministry linked child protection to the POCSO Act, 2012, the POCSO Rules, 2020, and NCPCR’s support guidance and monitoring tools.
Background and earlier position (POCSO legal framework and punishment)
The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012 defines a child as any person below the age of 18 years. The Ministry stated that the POCSO Act was amended in 2019 to introduce more stringent punishment for committing sexual crimes on children, including the death penalty.
What the POCSO Rules add (Support Person during investigation and trial)
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