Dimapur, June 7 (MExN): CHILDLINE Dimapur along with the recently established Mokokchung and Karbi Anglong CHILDLINE teams conducted an awareness programme on ‘Child Rights and Protection of Children from Sexual Abuse’ at Shepherd’s School, Padumpukhuri, Dimapur on June 6.
Lozua Kape, Centre Coordinator and Totivili K, Counsellor, CHILDLINE Dimapur were the resource persons. Lozua Kape dwelt on the basic entitled rights provided to every child under the constitution and the rights guaranteed to every child under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) for the child’s survival and overall development, namely Right to Survival; Right to Development; Right to Participation; and Right to Protection.
According to a press release, she also elaborated on different types of sexual offences, which she said every child should be aware of. Each child is secured under the 2012 Protection of Children against Sexual Offence Act (POCSO Act 2012), she added.
Under the POCSO Act, Lozua stated, the different categories of child sexual offences are penetrative sexual offence; aggravated penetrative sexual assault; sexual assault; aggravated sexual assault; sexual harassment; use of child for pornographic purposes and storage of pornographic material involving a child for commercial purposes. Any individual, as per the Act, who commits these offences, to any person below the age of 18, will invite legal sanctions and punitive measures, according to the gravity of the offence.
Totivili K highlighted on the various activities of CHILDLINE and how any child in distress or a concerned adult could avail of the toll free 24x7 CHILDLINE No 1098 for seeking immediate assistance for oneself or for the assistance of a child in need of care and support. She emphasized that CHILDLINE has centers all over the country for providing assistance to every child in need and distress and it functions under the Ministry of Women and Child Development, New Delhi.
