POCSO awareness drive: Haryana schools sensitise over 3 lakh students

The Haryana State Legal Services Authority (HALSA) has undertaken a statewide awareness campaign in schools and educational institutions to sensitise children about the provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012, as part of efforts to strengthen child protection through legal literacy and preventive awareness.

Campaign reaches over 3 lakh students

The campaign, which commenced on May 13, is being implemented through District Legal Services Authorities (DLSAs) in coordination with District Education Officers, District Elementary Education Officers, school principals, teachers, school authorities and other stakeholders.

The initiative seeks to create a sustained culture of awareness by equipping children with knowledge about their rights, personal safety, responsible conduct and legal mechanisms available for protection and assistance, an official statement said here.

The campaign has witnessed extensive outreach across the state. From May 13 to August 15, as many as 2,296 awareness programmes were organised across 1,731 schools and educational institutions, sensitising 3,10,841 students about the POCSO Act and related child safety issues.

Focus on child safety and cyber awareness

The programmes have been designed to go beyond conventional lectures by encouraging interaction and age-appropriate discussions on child protection, safe behaviour, responsible use of technology and social media, cyber safety, prevention of exploitation and abuse, and avenues for reporting offences and seeking assistance.

Awareness of wider impact of abuse

The campaign also addresses the wider consequences of offences under the POCSO Act, including their potential impact on children’s education, careers, family life and social well-being.

The objective is not merely to inform but also to prevent children from inadvertently entering situations that may expose them to exploitation, abuse or conflict with law, the statement said.