As part of the ongoing Constitution Defender Project, the Centre for Law and Policy Research (CLPR) organised a virtual training workshop on The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012 for Paralegal Volunteers on 5 April 2025. The primary aim of the session was to strengthen the legal knowledge and skills of paralegal volunteers on child protection laws, enabling them to play a more effective role in community legal awareness and in supporting the survivors of sexual offences in accessing justice. The event brought together participants from different parts of Karnataka and our Paralegal Volunteers, fostering an inclusive and interactive learning environment.
The workshop began with a welcome address by Jayna Kothari, who introduced the objectives of the Constitution Defender Project and emphasised the importance of empowering paralegal volunteers with specialised legal knowledge. Participants were oriented to the structure of the session, which combined expert presentations with open discussions to ensure maximum engagement.
The session on the POCSO Act, 2012 was conducted by Adv. Rohan Kothari, who provided a comprehensive overview of the said Act of 2012. He explained the legislative intent behind the Act, key definitions, categories of offences, and the punishment prescribed for each. The session also covered the child-friendly procedures mandated under the law, the roles and responsibilities of police officers, special courts, and support persons, as well as the interplay of the POCSO Act with other laws such as the Juvenile Justice Act and the Indian Penal Code. Drawing from the practical experience, Adv. Kothari also highlighted common challenges in the enforcement of the Act, including delays in trials, lack of sensitisation among stakeholders, and gaps in victim support services.
Following the presentation, an open discussion was moderated by Dr. Kiran Nayak, where paralegal volunteers shared their grassroots experiences and discussed the barriers faced in ensuring justice for child victims of sexual offences. The exchange of ideas and case-based scenarios allowed participants to apply their newly acquired legal knowledge to practical situations, making the discussion both enriching and solution-oriented.
The session concluded with a vote of thanks by the CLPR team, acknowledging the contributions of the resource person, the moderator, and the participants for their active involvement. The team reiterated the need for continued legal education and on-ground advocacy to uphold and protect children’s rights under the POCSO Act.
Overall, the workshop successfully advanced the objectives of the Constitution Defender Project by equipping paralegal volunteers with the legal understanding and practical tools needed to defend and promote child protection rights at the grassroots level. The interactive nature of the session, combined with expert guidance, ensured that participants left with greater confidence and clarity in applying the POCSO Act in their community work.