Shillong, Oct 28: The District Legal Services Authority (DLSA), West Jaintia Hills organised ‘Surakshit Bachpan Abhiyan’, a pan-India school awareness campaign on POCSO Act, 2012 at District Library, Mynthong, Jowai.
District and Sessions Judge-cum-DLSA Chairman M. Skhemlon expressed concern over rising POCSO cases. He said the Act protects both boys and girls, stressed confidentiality of survivors, mandatory reporting, and cautioned students against online exploitation, cyberstalking and digital blackmail. He urged them to speak up when feeling unsafe.
Special POCSO Judge M. Kumar explained how offenders exploit trust and manipulate children into silence and urged children and parents to report abuse without victim-blaming.
Legal-cum-Probationary Officer of the District Child Protection Unit, Saralin S. Ryngkhlem outlined DCPU’s role in counselling, adoption, sponsorship and support for child victims and encouraged use of Child Helpline 1098.
SI J.K. Majaw, in-charge DCRB, spoke on safe use of social media, urging students to “protect yourself, respect others and speak up” and to balance online activity with studies and health.
