In order to help women and children in dealing with the law, policemen in the State are being sensitised with new modules teaching them about it, said Anurag Sharma, Telangana Director General of Police (DGP) on Wednesday.
“Child abuse is something that has been going on from a long time. Also, the idea is that women don’t have to run to a specific police station, but will have a component in the existing stations to help them,” said Mr. Sharma, while addressing the media after the inauguration of the ‘Model’ Children’s Court at the Metropolitan Sessions Court, Criminal Courts Complex, Nampally.
The DGP stated that there will be reservations for women during the coming recruitment. Talking about issues pertaining to trial with regard to children who are abused, Mr. Sharma said that intimidation is a major issue. “Majority of the accused are known to the children. So saying things openly might be traumatic for children,” he added.
Mr. Sharma mentioned that it is important to create a non-threatening atmosphere for such victims. “None of the States have this (Children’s Court). We are the first ones, as only two union territories have it presently,” he said, and added that the child-friendly space for recording the witness and testimony of a child will aid in improving the conviction rates for crimes against children,
Metropolitan Sessions Judge T. Rajani also said that there are over 1,640 cases under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POSCO) Act, 2012, at various stages across different district courts in Telangana. The newly launched Children’s Court comes with a waiting area, which provides a child-friendly environment, complete with toys, bean bags and colourful furniture. A child coming there will also have a different entrance to the room. Unlike in normal circumstances, minors will not be allowed to come face-to-face with alleged offenders.
The judge will not sit on a dais to be more approachable and the police accompanying a child will also not be in uniform. A two-way video communication system will be in place, which will allow a child witness to identify the accused on camera. The Children’s Court was inaugurated by Ramesh Ranganathan, Acting Chief Justice of the High Court of Judicature at Hyderabad. The court was facilitated by the NGO Justice and Care in collaboration with the State government judiciary.
