Juvenile Justice and Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO) 2012: A Socio-Legal Analysis of Existing Law and Practices

Abstract

Children are especially vulnerable to abuse, most often sexual exploitation, which prevents them from spending time playing outside or in school. Children are abused instead of having fun at school and outside. People face discrimination regarding resources to meet their fundamental requirements and the chance to express their opinions and have them fairly considered. Therefore, prejudice against people also affects their opportunities and means of meeting their basic needs. The criminal views sexual exploitation and abuse as the worst crime since it harms victims' mental and physical well-being. Criminal laws shield kids because of the offense's nature and susceptibility. The Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses (POCSO) Act, 20124, was enacted in response to the rise in child sexual crime to safeguard the development and health of children. This law became operative on December 1, 20124. Children are more likely to commit this form of crime because they do not have the mental capacity to understand the seriousness of their situation. Their danger of being a victim rises as a result.

The tragedy will have a lasting impact on the bodies and minds of the helpless youngsters, and all they can do is endure the pain. The POCSO Act, which superseded the Juvenile Justice Act of 2003, is the subject of this essay. The Juvenile Justice Act 2003 was repealed and replaced with the POCSO Act. This research will examine the constitutional provision and UN Convention that served as the foundation for this statute. Through the use of many case studies, the scope and limitations of this Act will be addressed. Doctors, law enforcement, courts, and human rights activists must protect children. The student must reconsider their assignments given today's societal climate.