Nashik: Chairperson of Maharashtra state commission for protection of child rights Susieben Shah on Tuesday said there was no need for a minor rape survivors to come to the police station for registering a complaint and the same can be done by the parents.Speaking to reporters after a day-long workshop with police, revenue, women and child welfare department officials on protection of child rights in Nashik, Shah expressed concern over the lack of awareness about child rights in the society.There have been changes in the rule. The minor survivors in a rape case need not come to the police station for registration of the complaint. The police personnel are not aware of this and there is lack of training among them. The superintendents of police (SPs) and collector came for the training session and the issue was brought to their notice, Shah said.She also noted that child rights were not the focus of the government and the best example was the lack of Bal Bhawans — a one-stop centre for child rights protection.We are asking the state government to take steps and aid construction of these offices that will bring all the stakeholders under one roof for the protection of child rights, she said.On being asked about Pocso Act being slapped in case of relationships involving minors, the chairperson said they cannot deviate from the rules mentioned in the Act. We also published the following articles recentlyPrevent assault in schools: Child rights panelThe Goa State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (GSCPCR) has recommended measures for the protection of children on the school premises by issuing amendments to the existing circular on the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso) Act. The GSCPCR consulted stakeholders in the child protection system before making these recommendations. The commission emphasized the importance of the directorate of education acknowledging the gravity of the problem and taking decisive action when faced with complaints of child sexual abuse. To ensure the safety and well-being of children, the teaching and non-teaching staff, management of the school, must be made aware of the relevant sections of the Pocso Act and the Provision of Sexual Harassment at Workplace. In case of any child reporting an incident of sexual abuse, it should be immediately reported to the counsellor, who will provide psychosocial and emotional support to the victim. If the incident is directly mentioned to the counsellor, they are duty-bound to report it in writing to the police station and inform the head of the institute.In the dumps: Child rights body running on emptyThe Delhi Commission for Protection of Child Rights (DCPCR) is facing a multitude of issues due to the absence of a chairperson. The commission is unable to renew contracts, sanction money for pending salaries, pay rent, clear dues, make new appointments, or resolve pending cases. Additionally, the Bal Mitra chatbot system and the early warning system (EWS) are both suffering due to a lack of staff. The DCPCR staff strength has been reduced, and the contract of more employees is set to end next year. The elected government has not shown interest in finding a replacement for the former chairperson, Anurag Kundu.MP horror: Blind child raped by guard in govt hostelA visually impaired 9-year-old girl in MPs Damoh district was raped by a 56-year-old security guard on November 26. The assault was discovered when the childs mother, who was working in Delhi, returned home. The accused has been arrested. The girl revealed that she was taken while sleeping and woke up in a different room. She tried to escape but was held down and raped by the guard. The mother immediately reported the incident to the police, leading to the arrest. The Child Welfare Committee is investigating.

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