Which is the law enacted in India to protect children from sexual offences?

Question

Question

This question was previously asked in

CSIR CERI JSA Official Paper-II (Held On 2022)

Answer 1

The correct answer is POSCO Act 2012.

Key Points

POCSO Act 2012 is the law enacted to protect children from sexual offences in India
Stands for Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act
Specifically addresses sexual abuse, harassment, and pornography involving children below 18 years
Establishes special courts for child-friendly trials and speedy justice
Mandates strict punishments including life imprisonment for aggravated offences

Additional Information

POSH Act 2013:
- Stands for Prevention of Sexual Harassment at Workplace Act
- Deals with sexual harassment of women in workplaces
- Derived from Vishaka Guidelines laid down by Supreme Court
- Requires organizations to form Internal Complaints Committees
- Not related to child protection but adult workplace safety
Vishaka Guidelines:
- Laid down by Supreme Court in 1997 in Vishaka vs State of Rajasthan case
- Formed basis for POSH Act 2013 regarding workplace harassment
- Addressed legal vacuum regarding sexual harassment at work
- Only applicable to women employees, not children
- Later replaced by the more comprehensive POSH Act
Untouchability (Offences) Act 1955:
- One of India’s first laws against caste discrimination
- Prohibits practice of untouchability in any form
- Later replaced by more stringent Protection of Civil Rights Act 1976
- Deals with social discrimination, not child protection
- No connection to sexual offences or child rights