Child sexual abuse is a serious crime which is not reported due to lack of awareness among children. It is seen that child sexual abuse occurs not only on girls but also on boys. The POCSO Act (Protection of Children from Sexual Offences) was enacted in 2012 for the protection of children from sexual crimes.
As per Section 21 of the POCSO Act, 2012, it is the responsibility of the school to report immediately to the police any case of child sexual abuse that comes to their notice and punishment of six months’ imprisonment or fine or both is prescribed for not reporting.
In order to create awareness and also provide a platform for children to report, Cyberabad Police has taken up the initiative named “Bala Mithra” wherein one teacher from each school, a counselor if available will act as bridge between the students and the SHE Team, Cyberabad.
It is this teacher/counsellor who reports to the police any case of child sexual abuse that is brought to his/her notice and immediately informs the SHE Team who will take further action for registering the case in the concerned Police Station. One Teacher from each school, Government and private in the limits of Cyberabad was identified to act as Bala Mithra.
Commissioner of Police, Cyberabad along with the Collector Medchal District have launched the program on 15-02-2019. Followed by conducting awareness on POCSO Act, 2012 and child abuse and role of the identified Bala Mithra members in understanding and reporting child sexual abuse to SHE Team Cyberabad.
This program is an attempt to help teachers and counsellors to achieve required competency in dealing with cases being dealt under POCSO Act, 2012.
Cyberabad police has launched a special Whatapp No. 9490617444 for reporting on child sexual abuse. Citizens are requested to report on child sexual abuse/harassment on this number or can directly call the respective SHE Teams (Balanagar-9490617349,IT Corridor-9490617444,Gachibowli-7901114137,Rajendranagar-7901114140,Shamshabad-9490617354) or dial 100 or send e-mail to balamithra.cyberabad@gmail.com or on facebook sheteam.cyberabad. Stringent action will be taken against the offenders.
