Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
In the wake of a recent spate of POCSO cases, the Tamil Nadu government is considering the introduction of peer counselling programmes in schools to promote gender sensitivity and foster a sense of equality among boys and girls.
The proposal was discussed at a meeting chaired by senior state government officials and is yet to be finalised.
Under the proposed programme, issues such as good touch and bad touch, adolescence-related concerns, and questions about physical and emotional changes during puberty would be discussed among students themselves. The idea is to create a safe space where adolescents can openly talk about sensitive issues with peers from their own age group.
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“Adolescents often listen more to their peers and social media than to adults. Peer counselling will enable them to discuss issues such as good touch and inappropriate touch in a safe and comfortable environment,” an official familiar with the discussions said.
Students with strong communication skills would be identified and trained to counsel their classmates on age-appropriate and sensitive issues.
The programme is proposed to be implemented with the support of school headmasters. Adolescent-friendly classrooms would be created, and peer counselling sessions would be conducted during regular school hours rather than as an extracurricular activity.
RISING POCSO CASES IN TAMIL NADU
The proposal comes against the backdrop of growing concern over crimes against women and children in the state.
A 10-year-old girl was allegedly abducted, sexually assaulted and murdered by two daily-wage labourers in Tamil Nadu’s Coimbatore district. The girl went missing on May 21 while playing near her home and police officials later recovered her body from a local water tank.
Following the incident, opposition leaders criticised the government over the law-and-order situation, claiming that 19 POCSO cases had been reported within the first 15 days of the new administration.
In another shocking incident, a three-year-old girl in Gummidipoondi, the daughter of migrant labourers, died after she was allegedly lured to a secluded spot by a neighbour and sexually assaulted. The incident took place on the night of June 14, and the child succumbed to her injuries the next day.
Following the incident, the BJP attacked the government, alleging a sharp rise in crimes against minors over the previous 48 hours.
TOUGH ACTION ON CRIMES AGAINST MINORS
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Joseph Vijay has directed officials to adopt a zero-tolerance approach towards cases of sexual abuse. During a joint meeting with the Home Department, he instructed authorities to fast-track investigations, expedite the filing of chargesheets and strengthen prosecutions by appointing special public prosecutors for sexual assault cases.
The government is also planning to appoint special public prosecutors on a case-by-case basis to exclusively represent victims and help ensure speedy justice.
In the Sulur sexual assault-cum-murder case, senior advocate KR Sankaran has already been appointed as a special public prosecutor to represent the victim’s side.
Vijay also directed police to conduct a thorough and expeditious investigation into such cases and take steps to file chargesheets at the earliest. The government has promised stringent punishment for those involved in crimes against women and children.
The issue represents the first major governance challenge for Chief Minister Vijay. After securing a sweeping victory in its maiden Assembly election, the TVK government is now under pressure to deliver on its promises, particularly with regard to law and order and the safety of women, children and other vulnerable sections of society.
– Ends
SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
