Chandigarh Commission for Protection of Child Rights (CCPCR) organized capacity Building Training Program for Media Personnel and Stakeholders to sensitize about Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015 & The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 at U.T Guest House, Sector 6, Chandigarh. 60 participants included media persons, and stakeholders such as Child welfare committee, Union Territory Child Protection Society, District Child Protection Unit, Child Helpline (1098), Women & Child Helpline (181), Anti human trafficking unit officers, Special juvenile police unit officers and interns from Panjab University, Chandigarh attended this training workshop.While speaking on the occasion, Ms. Harjinder Kaur, Chairperson, CCPCR highlighted that while dealing with cases of child sexual abuse and all such child protection related issues, media should have a sensitive attitude so that dignity of a child does not get affected. Also being in the child welfare sector, we all should be enough aware to act according to the provisions defined in various child protection Acts.
Chief Guest and resource person of the training programme, Dr. K.P. Singh (IPS), DGP (Retd.) of Haryana highlighted the historical background of child rights, JJ Act and POCSO Act in detail. He discussed the most important principles of the act which media persons should keep in mind- Presumption of Innocence ; Best interest of the child; Principle of Diversion; Institutionalization should be the last resort and Right to Privacy and confidentiality. He also discussed about various sections, assumptions and punishments which are mentioned in these acts. He threw light on the types of offences, investigation procedure and other information given in both the acts. He further took questions of stakeholders and cleared their doubts regarding the implementation of the Acts.
Guest of Honor, Sh. Surender Kumar, Member Secretary, SLSA,Chandigarh appreciated the efforts of CCPCR for making Chandigarh –A Child Friendly City. He threw light on POCSO Act, 2012(Protection of Children from Sexual Offences) in detail and said that media should be sensitive enough to report the cases as it can create long lasting impression on the child’s personality. He encouraged the all stakeholders to work as a team to fill the existing gaps in the implementation of these Acts which are meant to be for child protection.Vote of thanks was extended by Mr. Sanjay Sharma, Member, CCPCR to all dignitaries and participants. Dr. Monica M. Singh, Member, CCPCR, Mrs. Pooja Punchhi, Member, CCPCR, Mr. Kartar Singh, Legal Consultant, CCPCR, Mr. Chanchal Singh, RTE Consultant, CCPCR, Mr. Arvind k. Dhawan, Sr. Assistant, CCPCR, Mr. Shekhar, Clerk, CCPCR were also present during this training program.