A significant stride towards safeguarding the rights and well-being of child victims emerged from a state-level consultation organized by the Manipur Commission for Protection of Child Rights (MCPCR) on Wednesday. The consultation proposed the establishment of a ‘panel of support persons’ tasked with providing emotional and psychological support to child victims throughout legal proceedings, ensuring their welfare and protection. This proposal aligns with a directive from the Supreme Court to draft Model Guidelines for Support Persons under Section 39 of the POCSO Act 2012. The apex court has mandated state governments and Union Territories to formulate rules based on these guidelines.
Conducted at the Manipur Press Club, the one-day consultation was jointly organized by the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights and MCPCR. The event underscored the significance of these guidelines, with MCPCR chairperson Keisam Pradipkumar emphasizing Section 39’s requirement for state governments to prepare guidelines involving NGOs, professionals, and experts to aid children in POCSO-related cases from pre-trial to trial stages. Pradipkumar highlighted the importance of police accurately recording victims’ statements and emphasized that support persons should maintain real-time tracking of victims to assist police personnel effectively.
Addressing broader societal needs, Director of Medical and Health Services O Sanahanbi Devi lamented the lack of attention to spiritual health alongside physical, mental, and social well-being. SP Crime Against Women and Children, Ph Maheshwari Devi, highlighted the prevalence of crimes against children, noting the specific provisions of the POCSO Act and the presence of special juvenile police units with child welfare officers in every police station in Manipur. Devi disclosed that Imphal West recorded 23 cases under various sections of the POCSO Act in 2023.