Which of the following statement is/are correct about POSCO ?

(i) A special law to protect children from offences of sexual harassment.

(ii) POSCO is gender neutral.

(iii) In-camera trial of cases.

Question

Question

This question was previously asked in

Kerala PSC Common Preliminary Exam (GRADUATE LEVEL) PYP - 096/21

Answer 1

The correct answer is Option 4

Key Points

The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act was enacted in 2012 to protect children from offences of sexual abuse and exploitation, making statement (i) correct.
POSCO is gender neutral, as it recognizes that both boys and girls can be victims of sexual offences, making statement (ii) correct.
The Act mandates in-camera trials to ensure the privacy and dignity of the child during legal proceedings, making statement (iii) correct.
Therefore, all the statements (i, ii, and iii) are correct.

Additional Information

The POCSO Act: The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012, provides a robust legal framework to protect children under the age of 18 years from sexual assault, sexual harassment, and pornography, while safeguarding the interests of the child at every stage of the judicial process.
Gender Neutrality: One of the notable features of the POCSO Act is its gender-neutral stance, recognizing that both boys and girls can be victims of sexual offences. This ensures equal protection and justice regardless of gender.
In-camera Trial: The Act mandates that cases under POCSO must be tried in-camera to protect the child victim's privacy. This ensures a safe environment for the child to testify without fear or intimidation.
Special Courts: The Act provides for the establishment of Special Courts for the speedy trial of offences under the POCSO Act.
Mandatory Reporting: Under the Act, it is mandatory to report cases of child sexual abuse. Failure to do so is a punishable offence.
Child-friendly Procedures: The Act ensures child-friendly procedures during investigation and trial, including the appointment of support persons to assist the child.
Stringent Punishment: POCSO prescribes stringent punishments ranging from imprisonment to the death penalty, depending on the severity of the offence.