Sexual abuse is a major concern that is increasing day by day in India. To fight sexual abuse it is important that we all take responsibility in our own ways to combat the menace. Keeping this in mind an awareness programme was conducted by the National Service Scheme Units, Canara College in collaboration with Lions and Leo Club, Kadri Hills MJF, Mangaluru on October 04, 2023 at 3:30pm at the College Seminar Hall.
The Resource Person for the awareness programme was Mrs. Rajeshwari D. Shetty, Posh Trainer and Career Counsellor, Proprietor DISHA – Career towards Excellence, Mangaluru. She commenced her session with the story about Bhanwari Devi, a Social Dalit Worker and briefed the students about how the POSH Act 2013 came into existence. She explained to the students about good touch and bad touch, how to reach out to parents, teachers, and guardians, in case of abuse. The terms like child abuse, POSH Act and POCSO Act were discussed in detail. Students were made to understand the Protection or Safety Committee and what to do if they are harassed. The duties of the college were also emphasized by the Resource Person.
Mrs. Shetty, further, elucidated the two Acts. The Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013, also called as the POSH Act, was enacted in 2013 by the Government of India.The Act seeks to empower women to fight against sexual harassment at the workplace. The Act holds the organization and the employer responsible for taking measures to prevent incidents of sexual harassment at the workplace. The Act also includes provisions for redressal against violations.
POCSO (Protection of Children from Sexual Offences) Act is a comprehensive law, enacted in 2012 by the Ministry of Women and Child Development, to protect children under the age of 18 from offences of sexual assault, sexual harassment and pornography while safeguarding the interest of the child at every stage of the judicial process by incorporating child-friendly mechanisms for reporting, recording of evidence, investigation and speedy trial of offences through designated Special Courts. Unlike POSH Act, POCSO Act is gender neutral.
Ln. Dr. Vinod Prabhu, President and Ln. Sandhya Kamath,Treasurer , Lions Club, Kadri Hills were the esteemed guests present on the occasion. Mrs. Seema Prabhu S. and Mrs. M. Keerthana Bhat, NSS Programme Officers co-ordinated the programme. 84 NSS Volunteers benefitted from this programme.
Report by,
Mrs. Seema Prabhu S.
Mrs. M. Keerthana Bhat
