POCSO COMMITTEE

At AL QALAM INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL, the safety and well-being of our students are our top priorities. In accordance with the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, we have established a dedicated POCSO Committee. This committee is tasked with ensuring a secure and nurturing environment for all students.

Objectives of the POCSO Committee

Prevention: Develop and implement policies to prevent sexual offenses against children.

Awareness: Conduct workshops, seminars, and training sessions to educate students, teachers, and parents about child sexual abuse and the POCSO Act.

Support: Provide a safe and supportive environment for students to report incidents of abuse.

Redressal: Investigate and address complaints of sexual abuse promptly and fairly.

Counseling: Offer counseling services to victims of abuse and their families.

Collaboration: Work with external agencies, such as the police and child welfare organizations, to ensure comprehensive support and justice for victims.

Functions of the POSCO Committee

Creating Awareness: The committee conducts regular awareness programs for students, teachers, and parents. These programs cover topics such as recognizing signs of abuse, understanding children’s rights under the POCSO Act, and knowing the procedures for reporting abuse.

Handling Complaints: The committee provides a confidential and accessible mechanism for students to report incidents of sexual abuse. It ensures that all complaints are taken seriously and investigated thoroughly.

Counseling and Support: The school counselor, along with external experts if needed, provides emotional and psychological support to the victims of abuse. The committee ensures that the affected students receive the necessary help and guidance to overcome their trauma.

Liaising with Authorities: In cases where the involvement of law enforcement or child welfare authorities is necessary, the committee coordinates with these bodies to ensure that the legal procedures are followed and justice is served.

Policy Formulation: The committee is responsible for formulating and regularly updating the school’s policies on child protection. This includes setting guidelines for appropriate behavior, procedures for reporting and addressing complaints, and measures for preventing abuse.

Importance of the POCSO Committee

Safety: It ensures that the school environment is safe and secure for students.

Awareness: It educates the school community about child sexual abuse and the legal protections available.

Support: It provides necessary support to victims of abuse, helping them to recover and continue their education without fear.

Accountability: It holds perpetrators of abuse accountable and ensures that justice is served.

Prevention: It proactively works to prevent incidents of abuse through education and policy implementation.

POCSO e-Box: POCSO, e-Box is an online complaint management system for easy and direct reporting of sexual offences against children and timely against and timely action against the offenders under POCSO Act 2012 For more information or reporting of related cases you can click on Link of the POCSO e-Box is https://ncpcr.gov.in/pocso/

CHILD LINE 1098 – 24*7 HELPLINE FOR CHILDREN SERVICES: CHILDLINE 1098 is a national 24-hour toll free emergency phone service for children in distress. The Helpline for Children is currently operational in 412 locations across the country.

Conclusion

The POCSO committee in AL QALAM INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL plays a vital role in protecting children from sexual offenses and ensuring a safe educational environment. By fostering awareness, providing support, and ensuring accountability, these committees help to uphold the rights and well-being of students, creating a foundation for a secure and nurturing learning experience.

The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Committee (POCSO) re-constituted as under for the session 2024-25: