Protection of children from sexual offences in India a socio legal study

Abstract

Child Sexual Abuse (CSA) is a global public health problem impacting children in all socio-economic and ethnocultural strata. Every year, millions of girls and boys around the world face sexual abuse and exploitation. Sexual violence occurs everywhere in every country and across all segments of society. In the present study the implementation of the POCSO Act, 2012, has been reviewed and its effectiveness in curbing the crime of sexual abuse against children. The main attempt of the study is to analyse the reasons behind the success and failure of the laws against child sexual abuse in India. The empirical work contained the questionnaires, data collected, surveys and information gathered to bring out variables and powers behind the act of the contemplated choice in managerial activities. The entire information has been examined by applying the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) programming. The empirical study has been conducted in the Union Territory of Chandigarh (UT Chd), Panchkula City (Haryana) and Mohali City (Punjab). The researcher collected the data of 300 respondents. Two types of questionnaires are prepared by the researcher according to the age and understanding of the respondents. Both the children and general public questionnaire consist of 30 questions with multiple choice methods. The results of the research concluded that the Current Legal Framework on the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences is not adequately equipped to deal with the emerging legal and social issues. According to the survey conducted by the researcher, the reason behind the increase in the rate of crime against children is the non-implementation of the laws by the authorities and the lack of awareness about the laws among the people. Mere making laws will not help in decreasing the crime rate, the implementation of these is equally necessary. Work needs to be done on both social and legal aspects will help in eradicating sexual crime against children. newline