July 26, 2019
Over the past one decade, more cases of child sexual abuse and harassment is
being reported. On Thursday, the Rajya Sabha made amendments
to the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO)
Act. The new bill has included death penalty and
stringent punishments for sexual offenders. The bill was introduced by Union
Minister Smriti Irani who handles Women and Child
Development in the central ministry.
Amendments in POCSO have made administration of any drug to a child with
the intent of child attaining early sexual maturity a punishable offence
& punishments for sexual assault on children have been made more
stringent with provision of death penalty for the convict-Smriti Z
Irani, Union Minister of Women and Child Development.
According to reports, the bill was passed at the Rajya Sabha without much
hurdles as most of the ministers and law makers favoured the amended bill
against sexual offenders. In fact, most of the members at Rajya Sabha pointed
out how the rising cases of sexual harassment are a threat to safety and
dignity of children in India. The speech given at Rajya Sabha member
Derek O’Brien about how he was sexually abused at the age
of 13 years is going viral on social media for all the right reasons with
even Smriti Irani appreciating him for coming forward to speak about it.
This new amended law will keep a check on rising cases of sexual harassment
amongst children. People from across the country cheered for this new move by
the central government. For those who are involved in child
pornography, the punishment can go up to seven years in
jail along with a hefty fine.
“Thank you @smritiirani ji for your kind words of appreciation on my first
speech in the Rajya Sabha today. Speaking on POCSO Amendment Bill was had the
dual passion of a lawmaker as well as a father”, tweeted Rajya Sabha Member
Dr Sasmit Patra.
“Very welcome change made in the POSCO Act. Heinous crimes against innocent
children must be severely, speedily and publicaly punished, further changes
may be reqd to increase effectiveness”, tweeted Balraj
Mehta.
Source: https://newzhook.com/story/rajya-sabha-passes-amendments-to-posco-bill
