The Ministry of Women and Child Development on November 30, 2023, issued a notification regarding the Scheme for Care and Support to Victims under Section 4 relating to Punishment for penetrative sexual assault and Section 6 relating to Punishment for aggravated penetrative sexual assault Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012
The following have been stated namely: -
• It states that the main objective of this Scheme is to provide integrated support and assistance to minor pregnant girl child victims under one roof and to facilitate their immediate, emergency, and nonemergency access to a range of services for long-term rehabilitation in terms of access to education, police assistance, medical (also comprising maternity, neo-natal and infant care), psychological, mental health counseling, legal support, Non-Institutional Care support, place of stay in CCl/Aftercare facilities and health insurance cover for the girl child victim and her new-born under one roof to enable access to justice and empowerment of such girl child victims.
• The Guidelines of the Scheme are available on the Ministry’s website i.e. www.wcd.nic.in and on the Mission Vatsalya Portal i.e. https://missionvatsalya.wcd.gov.in.
The eligibility criteria of the scheme have been stated as follows namely:-
(i) Any girl below the age of 18 years, who is a victim of:
(b) Penetrative Sexual Assault - Section 4 of the POCSO Act,
(c) Aggravated Penetrative Sexual Assault – Section 6 of the POCSO Act,
(d) Section 376, 376A-E of Indian Penal Code, 1860
(e) becomes pregnant due to such assault or rape is covered under the Scheme.
(ii) This Scheme shall extend support to every minor pregnant girl child victim.
(iii) It is not mandatory for the girl child victim to have a copy of the FIR for availing the benefits under the Scheme. However, it shall be the responsibility of the State/UT to ensure that information is provided to the police and that an FIR is registered under the POSCO Act.
Kindly refer to the document to view further details
[Notification No. D.O.No. CW-II-11/1/2023-CW-II (e-109297)]
