The Haryana State Legal Services Authority (HALSA) has launched a statewide awareness campaign across schools and educational institutions to sensitise children about the provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012, with a focus on strengthening child protection through legal awareness and preventive education.
According to PTI, the campaign began on May 13 and is being implemented through District Legal Services Authorities (DLSAs) across Haryana. The initiative is being carried out in coordination with District Education Officers, District Elementary Education Officers, school principals, teachers, school authorities and other stakeholders involved in child welfare and education.
The campaign aims to familiarise children with their legal rights, personal safety, responsible behaviour and the mechanisms available to them for reporting offences and seeking help. Officials have also sought to make the awareness exercise a sustained effort rather than a one-time programme.
Between May 13 and August 15, a total of 2,296 awareness programmes were organised in 1,731 schools and educational institutions across the state, reaching 3,10,841 students, PTI reported, citing an official statement.
Focus On Safety, Cyber Awareness And Reporting Mechanisms
The programmes have been structured around interactive and age-appropriate discussions rather than being limited to conventional lectures on the law. Students are being sensitised to issues including child safety, safe and responsible behaviour, technology use, social media awareness and cyber safety.
The campaign also seeks to educate children about the risks of exploitation and abuse and make them aware of the avenues available for reporting incidents and obtaining legal or other assistance.
Officials have emphasised that awareness of the POCSO Act is an important component of creating a safer environment for children. By understanding their rights and recognising potentially unsafe situations, children can be better equipped to seek timely assistance and protection.
The awareness sessions also highlight the broader consequences that offences covered under the POCSO Act can have on children and their families. These may extend beyond immediate concerns and affect a child’s education, future career, family relationships and overall social well-being.
The campaign’s objective is not limited to spreading information about the law. It also seeks to promote preventive awareness and help children avoid situations that could expose them to exploitation, abuse or legal complications.
The involvement of schools, education officials, legal services authorities and teachers is intended to ensure that the message reaches children across different parts of Haryana. Through coordinated outreach at the institutional level, the campaign aims to strengthen awareness of child protection mechanisms and encourage children to seek help when they face unsafe or inappropriate situations.
With more than 3.1 lakh students already covered during the first three months of the campaign, HALSA’s initiative represents a significant statewide effort to bring legal literacy and child-safety awareness into educational institutions.
(With PTI Inputs)