Shillong, Oct 14: The Meghalaya State Legal Services Authority (MSLSA) and the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA) of East Khasi Hills, in collaboration with the Meghalaya government, today launched project ‘Ka Jingkyrmen (Hope)’, an initiative aimed at preventing offences against children, promoting legal awareness and strengthening child protection mechanisms under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act 2012.
The project seeks to sensitise children, parents, educators and local communities on child safety, legal rights and preventive measures, with particular emphasis on vulnerable children and areas requiring greater intervention. It aims to foster a safe and supportive environment for children through community participation, legal awareness and coordinated action among government departments and other stakeholders.
Addressing the gathering, the Meghalaya High Court’s Chief Justice Revati Mohite Dere, who is also patron-in-chief of MSLSA, emphasised the importance of creating awareness about the provisions of the POCSO Act, particularly among adolescents and young people.
She observed that many young people remain unaware of the legal consequences of engaging in sexual activity with persons below 18 years of age. She highlighted that under the POCSO Act, a minor’s consent is not a valid legal defence and that offences under the act attract stringent punishment.
Justice Dere explained that the project was conceived in response to cases encountered during judicial proceedings, particularly those involving adolescents in romantic relationships. Such situations, she noted, can have serious consequences, including school dropouts, pregnancy, arrest and prosecution, potentially affecting the future prospects of both boys and girls.
The High Court assesses each case individually and has, based on circumstances, quashed POCSO proceedings where the male and female are married, even if one party was underage when sexual intercourse first took place.
Emphasising the importance of education, Justice Dere described it as a means of empowerment that opens doors to opportunities, enables young people to pursue their chosen careers and helps them build a secure future. She encouraged children to remain focused on their education, complete their studies and continue pursuing their aspirations.
Speaking on the occasion, Commissioner and Secretary in the Social Welfare Department, Pravin Bakshi, welcomed the initiative and described it as an important step towards strengthening child protection and community awareness.
He highlighted the project’s focus on legal awareness, community sensitisation and coordinated institutional responses, assuring that the Social Welfare Department, along with other government departments and stakeholders, would extend its support for the effective implementation of the initiative.
Referring to the prevalence of POCSO cases, Bakshi cited 29 cases in Mawlai block and 26 cases in Mawryngkneng block, underscoring the need for sustained awareness and preventive interventions.
He also highlighted various child protection initiatives implemented by the Social Welfare Department, including Mission Vatsalya, which provides care, protection and support to children in difficult circumstances and promotes their holistic development. The scheme covers children in need of care and protection, including those who are abused, abandoned, orphaned, missing or trafficked, as well as children affected by conflict, disasters and substance abuse.
He further outlined the role of child care institutions, including children’s homes, observation homes, special homes, open shelters and places of safety, in providing care, protection and rehabilitation to children requiring assistance.
Bakshi also highlighted the Child Helpline, which has been integrated with the Emergency Response Support System (112) and the Women Helpline (181) to facilitate access to emergency assistance and support.
Justice Hamarsan Singh Thangkhiew, who is executive chairman of MSLSA, stated that the project had been formulated under the directions of the Chief Justice to strengthen awareness and disseminate information, particularly among vulnerable children and those most affected by offences.
He stressed on the importance of communicating legal information in languages that children and local communities can understand, ensuring that awareness initiatives are accessible, inclusive and effective.
The key areas of intervention under ‘Ka Jingkyrmen’ include educating children about their rights and legal protections under the POCSO Act, creating awareness about good touch and bad touch, promoting an understanding of consent and child safety, and strengthening digital awareness to protect children from online risks and cyber-related offences.
The project will also disseminate information on essential helpline services, including the Legal Services Helpline (15100), Cyber Crime Helpline (1930) and Police Emergency Helpline (112), to ensure that children and community members are aware of the channels available for seeking assistance.
The initiative will involve coordinated efforts by the Social Welfare, Health and Education Departments, the police, district administration, students, teachers, Anganwadi workers, paralegal volunteers (PLVs) and traditional village institutions to ensure effective outreach and community participation.
