7.2 Lac +

Children, Teachers, Parents, Support Staff Sensitised

500 +

POCSO Awareness Workshops

1.8 Lac +

Women and LGBTQI+ Individuals Empowered

25+

Awards

Protecting the Future, Today

In 2019, a staggering 46,071 cases of child victims were reported under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, as revealed by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) of India.

Ensuring that your educational institution is compliant with the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act is crucial for creating a safe environment for children as well as to build trust, confidence, and reputation of your Institution.

At Laws Around Us, we specialise in conducting comprehensive POCSO audits to help institutions adhere to all necessary guidelines and regulations. Our team of experts is dedicated to safeguarding the well-being of children by ensuring that educational institutions implement effective child protection measures.

Key Features of POCSO

(Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act)

Enacted in 2012

The POCSO Act is a comprehensive law to address sexual offences against children, enacted to protect and safeguard the rights of minors.

Burden of Proof

The legal responsibility to prove innocence lies on the accused, ensuring a stronger stance for protecting children.

Gender-Neutral

The POCSO Act applies equally to all victims and accused individuals, regardless of gender, ensuring inclusive protection.

Mandatory Reporting

It is obligatory for all citizens to report cases of sexual offences against children. Failure to do so may result in legal consequences.

Child-Friendly Judicial Process

The law ensures a supportive and non-intimidating environment for child victims, making it easier for them to seek justice.

No Time Limit for Reporting

Victims can report abuse at any time, without the constraints of a time limit, ensuring access to justice.

Confidentiality of Victim’s Identity

The POCSO Act mandates the protection of the victim’s identity, preserving privacy and dignity.

Regular Police Verification and Background Checks

Educational institutions must ensure employees interacting with children are properly vetted to prevent potential harm.

Ongoing Training for Staff

Focused training on child safety and protection is essential for staff members, ensuring they are equipped to handle sensitive situations.

Adoption of a Child Protection Policy

Educational institutions are required to adopt a zero-tolerance policy against violence towards children, aligned with state government policies.

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What is a POCSO Audit?

A POCSO audit assesses whether an institution adheres to the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. Ensuring compliance with POCSO is vital for any educational institution to provide a secure environment for children.

Safeguarding Innocence:

The Importance Of POCSO Audits In Educational Institutions

Ensuring Child Safety And Well-Being

A POCSO audit ensures that all measures are in place to protect children from abuse and exploitation

Compliance With Legal Requirements

Staying compliant with POCSO regulations is mandatory for educational institutions, avoiding legal repercussions.

Minimising Legal Risks

An effective CPP and adherence to POCSO guidelines significantly reduce the risk of legal issues related to child protection.

Promoting A Safe Learning Environment

Creating a secure environment fosters trust and confidence among students, parents, and staff, enhancing the institution's reputation.

Our Clients

Unicef
Indian Army
Uttar Pradesh Police
India Post
Ministry of Women
Ministry of Communication
Unicef
Indian Army
Uttar Pradesh Police
India Post
Ministry of Women
Ministry of Communication

Frequently Asked Questions

Our POCSO Audit Service is a comprehensive and structured evaluation designed to ensure educational institutions maintain safe and protective environments for children, in compliance with the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012. This audit service focuses on assessing an institution’s policies, procedures, and practices related to the intervention, prevention, and protection of students from sexual offenses. Our POCSO Audit Service is designed to create safer, more vigilant learning environments, helping educational institutions build a culture of trust, safety, and responsibility in line with POCSO guidelines.

Our specialized team of legal experts help the educational institutions by providing all requisite services ranging from assistance, support to guidance and recommendation to comply with the relevant child protection legislations.

Our suite of services includes: i. Review and Assessment of Child Protection Policies (CPP): We begin with a detailed review of the institution’s policies to determine their compliance with POCSO Act requirements. ii. Drafting of Bespoke CPP (if required): Creating an inclusive and structured child protection policy tailored to the institution’s needs. iii. Evaluation of Staff and Student Training: Conducting live or recorded sensitization training sessions for educators, staff, and students, ensuring awareness of child protection policies and unsafe behaviors. iv. Age-Appropriate Sensitization: Providing training aligned with the developmental levels of children to enhance understanding and engagement. v. Review of Reporting and Response Mechanisms: Ensuring the institution has an effective reporting structure for addressing incidents. vi. Inspection of Physical and Digital Safety Measures: Assessing the physical premises and digital systems to ensure safety compliance. vii. Intervention and Support Services: Providing immediate assistance or guidance for reported cases. viii. Comprehensive Reporting and Recommendations: Delivering actionable reports and plans for improvement. ix. Ongoing Support and Compliance Checks: Offering continued support to ensure sustained compliance with POCSO guidelines.

A POSH audit is a systematic evaluation of an organization’s policies and practices related to POSH law meant for preventing and addressing sexual harassment at workplaces. It allows us to identify, uncover, guide and advise measures and appropriate moves to make any organization of any configuration POSH compliant.

Our specialized team of legal experts help the organizations, educational institutions, startups and MSMEs by providing requisite services ranging from assistance, support to guidance and recommendation to comply with the relevant provisions of POSH act.

i. Drafting POSH Policy: Establishing a comprehensive and inclusive POSH policy is the first essential step for any organization to ensure steps to address and prevent sexual harassment at workplace in compliance with the POSH Act. A POSH policy creates a safe and respectful work environment by outlining clear guidelines for preventing and addressing sexual harassment. Further, a well-drafted POSH policy establishes a formal process for reporting, investigating, and resolving complaints of sexual harassment. This ensures that victims have a transparent and confidential mechanism to seek justice, reducing the risk of harassment going unaddressed. ii. Internal Committee Formation: The POSH Act specifically provides for the manner of constitution of Internal Committees. Formation of ICs must be in consonance with other relevant and existing laws as well. iii. External Member: As per Section 4(2) (c) of the POSH act, appointment of one external member from NGOs or associations committed to the cause of women or person familiar with the issues of sexual harassment of women is a must and must be adhered to by the organizations. iv. Filing of POSH Annual Report: At Laws Around Us, we provide comprehensive support for organizations in managing their POSH compliance needs. Our services include expert guidance in drafting and submitting annual POSH reports, ensuring adherence to legal requirements, conducting regular awareness training sessions, facilitating periodic Internal Committee meetings, and upholding strict confidentiality in complaint handling. We work closely with organizations to ensure seamless and thorough compliance with POSH regulations. v. Appeals: We at laws around Us support our clients throughout the POSH law appeal process by providing expert guidance, documentation assistance, and strategic advice. Our experienced team assists in drafting a well-structured appeal document, highlighting key points of contention with the IC’s decision, backed by relevant legal grounds and evidence through a thorough review of the case materials. Additionally, we continue to deliver POSH awareness training during the appeal to keep the workplace informed of their rights and responsibilities.