The Office of Superintendent of Police (Training) and the Child Rights Commission launched a series of training for police sub-inspectors at GO’s Training Hall in presence of Sanjith Rodrigues, Secretary, GSCPCR, Sucheta B Dessai, SP (Training), Peter F Borges, Chairperson, GSCPCR and Child Welfare Committee, North Goa and South Goa.
The training will reach out to more than 260 PSIs from January 19-24, 2023.
Sexual crimes against children have been centre-stage for quite some time now with Goa witnessing a surge recently. A very low conviction rate exists in the state with several POCSO cases ending in acquittals.
There exists also the grim reality of a gross failure to support and rehabilitate the victims and their families in terms of victim compensation too. As a result of this, there are instances of victims and their families turning hostile, not cooperating and losing hope, said Sanjith Rodrigues.
The training revolved around the need for convergence between the police and the child protection system to ensure adequate support services for children as provided in POCSO Rules 2020.
“While it is important to secure punishment for the perpetrator, the focus should also be laid on restorative care and justice,” said Peter F Borges, who led the training and called for a multi-disciplinary approach to linking POCSO victims to the child protection system.
He further stressed the need for curbing re-victimisation which happens in the justice system process. Several factors and practices existing in the system make the victim re-live the horrific experience, leading to further trauma due to their vulnerability.
Esther Torres, Chairperson, CWC, North Goa, also highlighted the need to introspect and keep aside personal biases which exist while handling cases of child abuse. Adv Viren Bhende, a member of CWC South Goa, also spoke on the need for a coordinated approach.