Mumbai: As the majority of witnesses in cases registered under the POCSO (Protection of Children from Sexual Offences) Act are young children, they experience communication difficulties while giving evidence, often because questioning is developmentally or otherwise inappropriate.
To make things easier for the police as well as witnesses, the POCSO Act 2012 has set guidelines that have to be followed while interrogating children.
The police and the court has to abide by the children-friendly measures while interrogating minors and the witnesses have the liberty to come along with a parent/guardian in the process of interrogation.
The cops also need to strike a conversation with the children and make them comfortable, so that they can open up about the incident with ease. Cops need to be in civilian dress, and not in their uniform, so as not to scare the minor.
Dr Ali Gabrani, child psychologist said, “Parents need to be vigilant with their children. If the child has been sexually abused, they display a few signs, like being disconnected with the family, change in sleeping patterns, loss of appetite and suddenly emotional breakdowns and crying over relatively minor issues. A parent should always look out for such signs.”
Procedure under POCSO act
- The magistrate or the police officer, as the case may be, shall record the statement as spoken by the child in the presence of the parents of the child or any other person in whom the child has trust or confidence.
- Wherever necessary, the magistrate or the police officer, as the case may be, may take the assistance of a translator or an interpreter, having such qualifications, experience and on payment of such fees as may be prescribed, while recording the statement of the child.
- The magistrate or the police officer, as the case may be, may, in the case of a child having a mental or physical disability, seek the assistance of a special educator or any person familiar with the manner of communication of the child or an expert in that field, having such qualifications, experience and on payment of such fees as may be prescribed, to record the child’s statement.
