The Goa State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (GSCPCR) on November 29, 2023, issued amendments to the existing circular on POCSO by the Directorate of Education after consultation with stakeholders in the Child Protection System.
To enhance the safety of children within educational institutions and ensure the faithful implementation of relevant legislation, the Goa State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (GSCPCR) proposes that various stakeholders, including teaching and non-teaching staff, management, contractual personnel, individuals involved in extra-curricular activities, volunteers, and NGOs associated with schools, familiarize themselves with the provisions outlined in Section 19 and Section 21 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012, as well as the Sexual Harassment at Workplace Act, 2013.
In the event of a child reporting an incident of sexual abuse, immediate disclosure should be made to the counselor to provide necessary psychosocial and emotional support to the victim. Counselors appointed by the Goa Education Development Corporation are obligated to cooperate and assist any child reporting such incidents. If the disclosure is made directly to the counselor, a written report must be submitted to the police station, with notification to the headmaster of the institution.
In cases where no counselor is available, teachers should document the incident in writing and submit it to the headmaster or school in charge, who will then forward the information to the police for investigation. The headmaster must inform the police within 12 hours of receiving the information.
Neither the "Internal Complaints Committee" nor the "Vishaka Committee" formed under the Sexual Harassment of Women at the Workplace Act, 2013, nor the School Management Committee is authorized to handle cases or allegations of child sexual abuse. It is the responsibility of each headmaster to promptly undertake mandated actions under the POCSO Act, 2012, and inform the relevant department of the steps taken within 24 hours.
Notification of incidents should also be sent to the District Child Protection Unit, which can offer additional psycho-social, legal, and rehabilitative support to the child, and to the Goa State Commission for Protection of Child Rights, mandated to monitor the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012.
GSCPCR recommends proactive measures, including the installation of CCTV cameras and warning signs in strategic areas of institutions. Safety boxes, located away from CCTV surveillance, should be established to receive complaints, with regular monitoring by the District Child Protection Unit and law enforcement agencies in the school's jurisdiction.
It is mandatory to observe Child Abuse Prevention Week annually from November 14 – November 20 through awareness programs for all school staff. A compliance report, along with supporting documentation, must be submitted to the Directorate of Education.
All members of the school community, including teaching and non-teaching staff, management, contractual personnel, individuals involved in extra-curricular activities, volunteers, and associated NGOs, are required to undergo annual orientation on sexual offenses defined under the POCSO Act, 2012, with a corresponding compliance report sent to the Directorate of Education.
[Notification No. DI/NB/AXP/UB/GD/2023/ 2068]
