POCSO Workshop & Training

In this particular case, the class teacher was empowered through the training to recognize the child’s non-verbal cues as potential indicators of abuse. She followed the taught procedure to confidentially report the concern to the school’s Child Protection Committee, Which RCBGC helped establish.

Result Achieved:

• A sensitive and legally compliant investigation was conducted in coordination with the local Child Welfare Committee (CWC).
• The child was provided with psychological support and counseling.
• The accused staff member was legally restrained and later faced disciplinary and legal action as per the outcome of the inquiry.
• The school adopted a zero-tolerance policy on child abuse and implemented a standard operating procedure (SOP) for all future cases.
• Staff feedback showed a 96% improvement in confidence around reporting and handling potential abuse cases.
• Most importantly, the child’s well-being was restored, and a potentially prolonged trauma was prevented.

Case Study 2: Unsafe CSR

Volunteering Practices Challenge:

A reputed corporate group was running community engagement programs under its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative, Including volunteering at orphanages and educational centers for underprivileged children.

However, the CSR team and volunteers were:

• Not trained in child protection laws like POCSO.
• Unaware of appropriate behavior boundaries when working with children.
• Lacked guidelines for Interaction, Documentation, or Emergency Protocols.

This created a high risk of unintentional policy violations, potential misconduct, and reputational and legal vulnerability for the organization—even though no incident had yet been reported.

Solution by RCBG Consultancies :

RCBGC was brought in to assess and strengthen the company’s child safety compliance across CSR operations. The intervention included:

• Conducting a POCSO & Child Protection Awareness Workshop tailored for corporate volunteers and CSR heads.
• Training on:
  • Safe vs. unsafe behavior when working with minors.
  • Mandatory reporting obligations under POCSO.
  • Handling disclosures by children in a sensitive, legal manner.
• Introducing background verification protocols for volunteers.
• Assisting in the drafting and implementation of a formal Child Protection Policy (CPP) for the CSR wing.
• Providing visual toolkits (e.g., dos and don’ts posters, quick-reference cards).

Result Achieved:

• The company became POCSO-compliant in all CSR activities involving minors.
• All volunteers underwent mandatory orientation and signed a code of conduct before field visits.
• A Child Protection Committee was formed within the CSR team to review and manage future engagements.
• The organization significantly reduced its legal risk and was commended by its NGO partners for prioritizing child safety.
• Staff reported a 92% increase in confidence and clarity around safe interaction protocols with children.
• The company’s CSR program is now seen as a model for responsible, ethical engagement, and they have since scaled operations to more communities with safety-first policies in place.

RCBG CONSULTANCIES POCSO WORKSHOP

(Protection of Children from Sexual Offences)

GAPS IN THE MARKET FILLED BY THIS WORKSHOP

Lack of Awareness: Many individuals, especially adults in positions of authority like Teachers, School Staff, and Community Leaders, are unaware of the POCSO Act and the various forms of child sexual abuse it covers.

Inadequate Reporting: There's a fear of reporting abuse due to stigma, lack of understanding of reporting procedures, and a perception that the legal system is not child-friendly.

Insufficient Support: Victims of child sexual abuse often lack access to timely and appropriate Support, Including Counseling, Therapy, and Medical Care.

Gaps in the Legal System: Some argue that the legal provisions related to child sexual abuse are not comprehensive enough and that the term "child pornography" should be reconsidered.

Lack of Education and Training: Many organizations and educational institutions don't provide sufficient training on child safety and the POCSO Act, leaving staff and students unprepared to handle situations involving child sexual abuse.

IMPORTANCE OF SKILLS TAUGHT

Knowledge: POCSO training educates participants on the POCSO Act, Including its Legal Provisions, Reporting Mechanisms, and The Responsibilities Of Adults.

Awareness: It raises awareness about different forms of child sexual abuse, warning signs, and the importance of creating a safe and supportive environment for children.

Reporting: It clarifies reporting procedures, emphasizing the importance of reporting all suspected cases of abuse and outlining the consequences of non-reporting.

Support: It provides information on how to support child victims, including appropriate communication techniques and resources for accessing help.

Legal Compliance: It ensures compliance with legal standards and helps organizations build robust child safety measures.

In brief, POCSO workshop empowers individuals to recognize, prevent, and respond to child sexual abuse, ultimately contributing to a safer environment for children.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES OF THE WORKSHOP

• Understand the key provisions of the POCSO Act, 2012, including definitions of sexual offences and child rights.
• Identify different forms of child sexual abuse and recognize signs and symptoms in children.
• Learn the legal obligations for mandatory reporting and the consequences of non-reporting.
• Handle child disclosures sensitively and appropriately, maintaining confidentiality and dignity.
• Understand the roles of various stakeholders – Police, Child Welfare Committees (CWCs), Institutions, and Parents.
• Draft or evaluate Child Protection Policies (CPP) to ensure safety in institutional settings.
• Create a safe and responsive environment for children through awareness, training, and preventive measures.