Loyola School Jamshedpur organizes awareness workshop on children’s safety and rights

Jamshedpur, Oct 8: A one day workshop was organized for the support staff of Loyola School Telco and Bistupur on child sexual abuse and safe environment for children. The two laws under this, POCSO and Juvenile Justice Act, were highlighted.

In this workshop, emphasis was laid on increasing awareness regarding the safety of children and their rights. Chandana Bose from CACA group, Kolkata, was the resource person of the workshop. She shared and discussed ways to provide a safe environment for children at school level. She told how children often felt uncomfortable at home, but due to fear or social pressure, they were not able to talk openly on this topic. In contrast, at schools these issues may emerge more clearly. Therefore children required immediate attention. She explained the POCSO Act (Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses Act, 2012) and shared detailed information on the Juvenile Justice Act (2015), which protected children from sexual exploitation and other crimes.

Under the POCSO law, sexual exploitation against children below 18 years of age was considered a punishable offence. In 2019, this law was amended and made more stringent, in which there was a provision for harsh punishment like life imprisonment. Under the Juvenile Justice Act, offenders under 18 years of age were kept in reform homes and not in jail.

In this workshop, it was also emphasized that it was necessary to be sensitive towards children and precautions should be taken for their safety. For example, if a child felt uncomfortable in the classroom or while going to the washroom, teachers and school support staff should take notice of it. It was everyone’s responsibility to increase awareness in schools to keep children safe.

It was necessary to spread awareness against child sexual abuse, and provide a safe environment for children. The use of appropriate words were important at workplace so that children could grow up in a safe and positive environment. Principal Father Vinod Fernandes, Father KM Joseph, Vice Principal Vineeta Ekka, Father Gerry and all the co-workers were present in this workshop.