Awareness Lecture on the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012

Post Graduate Government College for Girls, Sector-11, Chandigarh, organised an awareness lecture on the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012, to sensitize students
about the legal provisions for safeguarding children from sexual abuse, exploitation and harassment. The programme aimed to foster awareness about child rights, legal safeguards and
the collective responsibility of society in ensuring a safe and secure environment for every child. The lecture was delivered by Mr. Arun Kumar Aggarwal, Member Secretary, State Legal Services Authority, UT Chandigarh, who enlightened the students about the salient features of the POCSO Act, 2012, and its significance in protecting children from sexual offences. He
highlighted the importance of understanding the legal framework, recognising situations that may threaten a child & safety, and ensuring timely reporting of offences to the appropriate
authorities. He also emphasised the need to create a supportive environment in which children feel safe, heard and empowered to seek help without fear or hesitation. The session witnessed enthusiastic participation from students. The programme also conveyed a strong message that child protection is not merely a legal obligation but a shared social responsibility. The students were encouraged to act as aware and responsible ambassadors of child rights by spreading awareness among their peers and within their communities.
Principal Prof. (Dr.) Anita Kaushal expressed her sincere gratitude to the eminent speakers for sharing their valuable knowledge and perspectives and emphasised the importance of such
initiatives in promoting legal literacy social awareness and student empowerment.