Published Paper Details:

Justice is the foundational stone in any civilized society. Every human being regardless of their being a major or a minor should have the right to access equal justice in the society. However, justice delivery process to children especially in sexual offences prior 2012 is negligible as the existing laws (the Indian Penal Code, the Immoral Trafficking (Prevention) Act, etc. are not sufficient to address such offences. The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012 was enacted with the sole purpose to provide justice to children who are victims of sexual assault, sexual harassment and pornography, known as 'children in need of care and protection'. The prevention of child sexual abuse, protection of the victims, justice delivery and rehabilitation of victims is not isolated issues. To achieve these objectives, the POCSO Act requires that a co-ordinate response of all the stakeholders including the Support Persons, Special Juvenile Police Unit (SJPU) or local police and Child Welfare Committee (CWC) etc. among others is highly necessary. This paper attempts to examine the various roles played by these key players (Support Persons, SJPU /Local Police, and CWC) etc. in promoting access to justice for children with special reference to POCSO Act, 2012.