The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012 Notes
| Q. No. | Question |
|---|---|
| 1 | What are the salient features of POCSO Act, 2012? |
| 2 | Definitions under POCSO Act, 2012 |
| 3 | What is Penetrative Sexual Assault under the POCSO Act, and what are the punishments? |
| 4 | Discuss the punishment for using a child for pornographic purposes under POCSO Act. |
| 5 | What is the punishment for storage of pornographic material involving a child? |
| 6 | Discuss the provisions related to abetment of an offence. |
| 7 | Explain the procedure for reporting offenses under the POCSO Act. |
| 8 | Discuss the procedure for recording the statement of a child under POCSO Act. |
| 9 | Explain the powers and procedure of Special Courts in the POCSO Act. |
| 10 | Discuss the provisions for assistance to children with disabilities in Special Courts under the POCSO Act. |
| 11 | What are the provisions for handling false complaints? |
| 12 | Discuss the provisions related to media reporting and the protection of the identity of the child. |
12. Discuss the provisions related to media reporting and the protection of the identity of the child.
- Protection of Identity: Section 23 emphasizes the protection of a child’s identity during legal proceedings under the POCSO Act.
- Prohibition on Media Disclosure: The media is prohibited from disclosing any information that could reveal the identity of a child victim.
- Details Covered: This includes details such as the child’s name, address, school, and family background.
- No Photo or Personal Information: Any reports made by the media must not involve the child’s photo, identity, or personal information.
- Exception by Special Court: The Special Court may allow the disclosure of a child’s identity only if it is deemed in the best interest of the child.
- Restriction on Publication: The publication of the child’s identity is restricted to ensure the child’s safety and privacy are maintained.
- Liability of Media Houses: The law mandates that media houses and their employees are liable for violating the confidentiality rules.
- Punishment by Imprisonment: In certain cases, media reports that disclose the identity may be punishable by imprisonment.
- Recording of Reasons: The Special Court can permit media reports if such disclosure is in the best interest of the child, but reasons must be recorded.
- Applicability to All Media: The law applies to all forms of media, including print, television, and online platforms.
- Serious Consequences: Disclosing the identity of a child can lead to serious consequences for both the perpetrator and the media.
- Prevention of Further Victimization: The law aims to prevent further victimization of the child by ensuring their privacy and protecting them from public scrutiny.
- Case Law – State v. Tejasvi Naik (2020): Reinforced the importance of media following strict guidelines in child sexual abuse cases to prevent identity exposure.
