Shillong: The Pro Bono Club and Legal Aid Society at the National Law University of Meghalaya hosted a panel discussion on September 7 to dissect the practical failures and institutional hurdles of the POCSO Act. Lawyers, police, child protection workers, and mental health pros gathered in Shillong to hash out the gaps in reporting and prosecution.
The law needs teeth. Panellists argued the 2012 legislation requires a coordinated push from hospitals, courts, and the public to function. They warned against treating the act as a dry criminal statute, insisting instead on procedures that stop kids from suffering secondary trauma during trials. It is about how the victim experiences the justice system.
One expert stated, "Effective child protection requires a coordinated ecosystem involving police, courts, healthcare professionals, and the community." Speakers stressed that parents and teachers must learn how to spot abuse and report it properly. The event ended with a push for institutions to treat adolescents with dignity while tightening their grip on exploitation cases.
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