Prevention of sexual abuse: mandatory guideline

Dr. A. Arthy

Dept of Forensic Medicine

Aarupadai Veedu Medical College

Introduction

• Ministry Of Women And Child Development: 2013
• Manual on safety and security of children in schools 2016
• Curriculum on health and wellness of school-going adolescent
• Guidelines on school safety and security
• National plan of action for children
• POCSO rules 2020

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Measures for protection from �child sexual abuse

#2. Employees

#1. Sensitization

#3. Child sexual abuse committee

Selection & behaviour

Teaching & non-teaching

Child safety & protection

#4. School management committee

Roles & responsibilities

#6. conduct post-incidence

Privacy & behaviour

#5. Report instances

Penalties for failure to report abuse

Constitution, roles & responsibilities

#1. Sensitization

Students

Begin early: Class 1-5

Outcome and TL media to use

Teachers & management

Yearly training: teachers

Recognize behaviour indicators

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Parents

Platform for raising concern

Physical

Display boards

Lit & accessible areas

CCTV camera

Protection, Identifying, behaviour & Reporting

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#2. Employee

• Selection of employee
• Police verification
• No criminal records
• Half the staff are females

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#2. Employee

• Policy regarding employee
• Respect & dignity
• Zero tolerance policy
• Vigilant outlook
• Escort students in trip : females
• Parents consent for trips
• Platform for parents to raise concern

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#3. Grievance committee for child sexual abuse

• 25% student + 50% management & teachers + 25% SMC members / PTA
• Every year first month
• Every year 2/3^rd student representatives should change
• 50% female
• Monthly meeting
• Encourage reporting & report
• Create awareness

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#4. School management committee

• Visit & interaction
• Ensuring no eve teasing: on & off campus
• Annual safety audit
• Express grievance
• Protect victim child

#5. Report instances

• No secluded/isolated area
• Toll free number
• Open house
• Penalties for failure to report abuse
• POCSO E-box

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POCSO E-box

POCSO E-box

POCSO E-box

POCSO E-box

#5. Conduct post-incidence

• Prevent contact between child and offender
• Not to talk to the offender in front of the child
• Believe the child
• Shifting school
• Respond with concern
• Respect child’s privacy & confidentiality
• All children are given information
• Stringent action towards perpetrator

Take home message

Child has a right to special sexual abuse preventive measures��Zero-tolerance policy��Reporting should be smooth

People ask, “ How can a person abuse a child?”

Instead, we should ask, “How can so many ‘Good’ people not do anything about it?

Thank You