PANAJI
With alarming rise in sexual assault on children in schools or coaching centres, the Goa State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (GSCPCR) has initiated process to draft the State’s first Child Protection Policy that will cover any institution housing children or coming in regular contact with children, including schools, crèches, sports academies or any other facility for children. The policy is being drafted in consultation with the Department of Women and Child.
Concerns over rising cases
Speaking to The Goan, Chairperson Peter Borges raised concern over rising cases of sexual assault on children within the premises of schools, coaching centres with no action or delayed action. “These are basically distressing incidents that highlight the urgent need for comprehensive measures to tackle this pervasive issue,” he said.
Protection Policy
Borges said that the State lacks in having a mandatory State Child Protection Policy that will focus on the safety of child in each premises that houses children for either educational or sports or religious purposes. These can cover all educational institutions, coaching centres like tuitions or sports classes, religious institutions, child day care centres and even hostels.
“These are the places that are unmanned. Except for schools or hostels to some extent, have got security but no other facilities have got the security, which is must,” he explained.
Safety directives
In the view of recent sexual assault on school children, the Commission has issued series of directives to the Directorate of Education and one amongst them was setting up State level desk with a hotline facility as well as dedicated e-mail ID to enable receipts of all school-based complaints of sexual abuse.
With students hesitant to come forward, fearing identity revelation, the Commission has recommended that schools should establish safety boxes to receive complaints and feedback and the same should be located around the school but away from CCTV surveillance and the same should be reviewed periodically by the school management for necessary action.
Borges expressed displeasure at the manner in which the State Education Department has been handling such cases without understanding the gravity of the problem. He said that it is the duty of the Education Department to act, if school management fails, to ensure safety and well-being of the children.
