Provide Clear Guidelines For Compensation to Victims: BJD MP Sarmistha Sethi on POCSO (Amendment) Bill 2019

New Delhi: Biju Janata Dal MP Sarmistha Sethi has said that there is need to provide clear guidelines for compensation, guidance and help to a victim under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.

During a discussion on the POCSO (Amendment) Bill 2019 in the Lok Sabha on Thursday, the Jajpur MP made several suggestions for further strengthening of the POSCO Act.

She said that there is need to provide a clear procedure for compensation, guidance or help to the victim till he or she becomes self-sufficient and leads a normal life.

She also said that a substantial amount of compensation may also be fixed which can be used for education and other future planning of the victim.

The BJD MP further suggested that in case of rehabilitation of POCSO victims, the yield for development programmes designed for children above 18 years should be relaxed suitably.

Under the rule, the Child Welfare Committee can provide a support person to assist the child and the family during the investigation and trial of the case. However, the detailed provisions, including that of special funds are yet to be provided clearly under the rule, she said.

She also urged that there is also need for engagement of councilors in a large scale in schools so that the children, parents and community are fully sensitized about the issue.

She also gave the example of Odisha Government’s innovative “Pari Pain Katha Tiea” (a tale for an angel) campaign to spread awareness on child sex abuse.

Under the programme, a state-wide caravan travels to different parts of the State in which police and other officials sensitize the public regarding the importance of police reporting such cases, she said.

Expressing concerns over the low conviction rate even after enactment of the POCSO Act, the BJD MP said that there is need to strengthen the areas which pull back the reporting, investigation and punishment.

“No doubt the existing one ((POCSO law) also is very much powerful but the question arises how much we achieved in the last seven years after the Act came into force. If we see the data, the crime of this nature has gone up even after enactment of POCSO Act”, she told the Lok Sabha.

She said that focus must be given on crime reporting, speedy, qualitative and quick trial and conviction.

“If we are only taking the severity of punishment now, then this amendment must include stringent punishment in case the victim is of specially need or differently abled’, she added.