New Delhi, 02 August 2019: Jammu and Kashmir National Conference National Conference senior leader and Member of Parliament Hasnain Masoodi on Friday called for strengthening Child Protection Structures like Child Welfare Committees and District Child
While participating in debate in the Lok Sabha on POCSO Amendment Act 2019 he said, “The Amendment proposes to prescribe minimum sentences for various categories of sexual assault ranging from five years to 20 years. It also provides for enhanced punishment for such categories including imprisonment for remainder of biological life and even death sentence. The Bill also takes cognizance of pornography and provides for enhanced punishment where the offence also involves sexual assault.”
While supporting the Bill Masoodi demanded that death sentence without discretion to the trial judge be restricted to cases where death of the victim occurs during commission of the offence or because of offence. “The bulk of the child abuse cases go unreported the POCSO is to deal with only a fraction of cases that actually happen while justice evades a large number of victims. He called for a holistic approach involving all stakeholders in Child. Protection campaign and strengthening the child protection structures envisaged under Juvenile Justice Act.”
Masoodi emphasized the structures can play a big role in creating awareness, reporting and in prevention of the child sexual. He lamented that CWCs were either not in place or guidelines like unrealistic rent for the premises hired to house CWCs and DCPU offices were making it near impossible for these important structures to function to the optimum level. Masoodi requested the WCD Minister present in the house to evolve a holistic approach to the problem, strengthen key structures and rationalize guidelines.
