The POCSO Act
The POCSO Act The POCSO Act (Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act) was enacted in 2012 by the Parliament of India to protect children aged less than 18 from sexual assault, sexual abuse, sexual harassment, and pornography²³. The Act defines a child as any person below eighteen years of age¹. The Act is gender-neutral and recognizes that boys can be victims of sexual violence as well¹. The Indian Penal Code does not recognize that sexual assault can be committed on boys¹. The Act mandates that investigation in the cases is to be completed in two months (from the date of registration of FIR) and trial in six months³. The Act also increased the scope of reporting sexual crimes against children¹. The POCSO Act (Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act)...