
POCSO Explained: Empowering Protection, Ensuring Justice.
In the complex tapestry of India's legal system, the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012, stands as a beacon of hope and a robust guardian for the nation's most vulnerable citizens: its children. Enacted with the paramount goal of safeguarding children from sexual abuse and exploitation, POCSO provides a comprehensive and child-centric legal framework designed to empower protection and ensure justice. At its core, the POCSO Act unequivocally defines a "child" as any person below the age of 18 years, regardless of their gender. This clear definition is fundamental to its protective reach. The Act meticulously categorizes and defines various sexual offences against children, ranging from sexual assault and sexual harassment to the creation and dissemination of child pornography. By explicitly outlining these acts, POCSO leaves…