Child safety education must: Experts

Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, February 13

The growing importance of the legal profession and provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act were debated at the Coordinators' Meet, organised by The Tribune Group of Newspapers here on Wednesday.

The session was attended by representatives from more than 110 schools in the city. Psychiatrist Dr Simmi Waraich and AB Education Director Gaurav Bhatara were the guests of honour, while former Punjab and Haryana High Court Judge MS Chauhan and Additional Advocate General Amar Vivek were guest speakers.

The event commenced with an inaugural session by Senior Associate Editor of The Tribune Roopinder Singh wherein he discussed negative and positive aspects of teaching. He said there was a need to curb the unethical practice of plagiarism by students.

Bhatara said, "With India being the second largest source of Foreign Direct Investment and the sixth largest economy in the world, there is a dire need of lawyers in the country. We need 15,000 judges to clear more than 2.5 crore pending cases in courts. Also, only 7% of the total seven lakh engineers find jobs after clearing exam every year and more than 50,000 out of two lakh law graduates join the legal profession after completing their degree."

He said, "The countries that top the Rule of Law Index also top Happiness Index. So, there is a need to strengthen our judicial system."

Detailing about law being a promising career option, Justice Chauhan, said, "Law is not just about rules and regulations, but it is also about rights, justice and understanding of human behaviour and society. A career in law is intellectually challenging, financially rewarding and personally fulfilling. One-third of the Union Council of Ministers in India have law degrees and 25 of the 44 presidents of the US have been advocates. Lawyers can represent the underprivileged, free the wrongly convicted, change the laws, empower groups of people, or even influence the functioning of governments."

Justice Chauhan, who also heads the Police Complaints Authority (PCA), said everyone in the city, including children, should be made aware of the fact that a regulatory authority existed in the city to look into allegations of 'serious misconduct' against police personnel. Complaints could be either suo motu or from a victim, state human rights commission, police or any source.

On child sexual abuse, he said, "Violence violates the dignity and rights of children and robs them of the joys of childhood. The issue of child sexual abuse is widespread in India, impacting children of all ages, socio-economic classes and genders."

"According to a report released by the Ministry of Women and Child Development, 2007, half of our country's children face some form of sexual abuse, with 21% having to face severe sexual abuse. Boys account for around 53% and girls for 47% of all children reporting abuse."

Meanwhile, Waraich explained to the gathering how to educate children on sexual abuse and its signs and symptoms.

She said, "Children who face abuse may develop anxiety, sleep disturbances, flashbacks and intrusive thoughts. The impact of violence can be such that children who experience violence before the age of 11 are three times more likely to develop psychiatric symptoms than those who experience such trauma as teens."

"Children should be taught not to keep secrets. Ask them what they play with other kids, ask them if an uncle or aunt touches their private parts. Culturally, Indians are taught to be less assertive. However, children should be taught to say 'no' to things they are uncomfortable with."

"Parents tend to think that boys can be left unsupervised, but boys face equal incidence of sexual abuse. As far as POCSO is concerned, having consensual relations with an underage girl can also bring teenage boys into trouble under the law. POCSO sensitisation is a must and a cognisable offence should be reported to the police," she added.

Children should be taught not to keep secrets. Ask them what they play with other kids, ask them if an uncle or aunt touches their private parts. Culturally, Indians are taught to be less assertive. However, children should be taught to say 'no' to things they are uncomfortable with. — Dr Simmi Waraich, psychiatrist

Teacherspeak

Students in schools should have a comfort level with their teachers and parents should be able to give and get the best, thereby, benefiting society at large. — Parvinder Kaur, Govt Model Sr Sec School, Sector 35

It was a great programme. Helping children in choosing the right career, understanding their problems and being accessible to them was beautifully discussed. — Naresh Handa, St Xavier’s School, Sector 44

Education should be looking beyond classroom. We, as teachers, should guide children to the right path and help in shaping their career. — Muniya Khan, St Stephen’s School, Togan

Interest, aptitude, personality and ability are core aspects that should be kept in mind to bring about a clear perspective in students’ impressionable minds. — Monia, Mount Carmel School, Chandigarh

Unique perspective for problems being faced by students and teachers were discussed. Discussion on the POCSO Act and legal profession was really helpful. — Shashi Sharma, PML SD, Sector 32

Youngsters have a tendency to change. They just have to be given shape and moulded as per their aptitude & abilities. — Harpreet Kaur, Satluj Public School, Panchkula