NEW DELHI: To curb child abuse and sexual violence, one must come forward to break the silence so as to make a crime free society, acting Chief Justice of Delhi High Court Gita Mittal noted on Saturday.
Inaugurating an awareness programme for school students on 'Child Abuse and Violence: Interpersonal and Digital Interface' at NDMC Navyug School at Sarojini Nagar, she said, "It is the fundamental right of each and every person to access justice for their liberty and life. And it provides a legal opportunity to every citizen to report such type of activities and cases."
The programme was organised by Delhi State Legal Services Authority, in collaboration with New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC), with the aim at to sensitise students in general, and girls in particular, about child abuse and sexual violence.
Underlining the importance of the awareness programme with respect to rights of the people and society for their legal entitlement to access justice, Mittal said that public awareness is a basic tool to prevent such activities amongst the marginalised section of the society, including women and children.
"With the increasing trend of social media and internet activity, such offences have increased manifold and immediate attention is needed to address this modern social problem on priority," she said, adding that in most cases, people do not report such incidents as the people involved are near and dear ones to the victims.
Aditi Chowdhary, Registrar (Vigilance), Delhi High Court, interacted with students between classes IX and XII on the subject matter and explained the provisions of Protection of Children from Sexual Offence (POCSO) Act and Juvenile Justice Act.
The girl students were especially enthusiastic in the interactive session and raised several queries without any hesitation about physical, emotional and cyber abuse that have become more hazardous in the society.