Section 43 of THE PROTECTION OF CHILDREN FROM SEXUAL OFFENCES ACT, 2012
Original Text
(a) the provisions of this Act are given wide publicity through media including the television, radio and the print media at regular intervals to make the general public, children as well as their parents and guardians aware of the provisions of this Act;
(b) the officers of the Central Government and the State Governments and other concerned persons (including the police officers) are imparted periodic training on the matters relating to the implementation of the provisions of the Act.
Visual Summary
1 Public Awareness
Duty: Wide publicity via TV, Radio, and Print.
Target: General public, children, parents, and guardians.
2 Official Training
Duty: Periodic training on implementation.
Target: Central/State officers, Police, and concerned stakeholders.
Summary
Section 43 of the POCSO Act emphasizes that a law is only effective if people know about it and officials know how to enforce it. This section places a mandatory legal obligation on both the Central Government and State Governments to perform two critical functions:
- Spread Awareness: Governments must use mass media (Television, Radio, Print) to educate the public. The goal is to ensure that children, parents, and guardians understand their rights and the protections offered by this Act.
- Train Officials: It is not enough to just pass the law; the people enforcing it (Police, Government Officers) must be trained. The section mandates periodic training to ensure these officials understand how to implement the Act correctly and sensitively.
Key Takeaways
- ✔Joint Responsibility: Both Central and State Governments are responsible for execution.
- ✔Regular Publicity: Awareness campaigns must happen at “regular intervals,” not just once.
- ✔Inclusive Audience: The law specifically mentions educating children directly, alongside adults.
- ✔Mandatory Training: Police and government officers must undergo periodic training to handle POCSO cases effectively.
Process Flowchart
Practice Questions
1. Who is responsible for creating public awareness under Section 43?
2. Which specific group of officials is explicitly mentioned as requiring training in Section 43?
3. What mediums are suggested for publicity in the Act?
4. Is the awareness campaign intended only for adults?
Related Provisions
Conclusion
Section 43 serves as the bridge between the legislation and society. By mandating public awareness, it seeks to prevent offences through education and ensure reporting when offences occur. Simultaneously, by mandating training for officials, it aims to eliminate the secondary trauma children often face during the investigation and trial processes due to insensitive handling. Without Section 43, the robust protections of the POCSO Act would remain theoretical.