Despite its merits, should the POCSO Act be revisited to correct the existing inadequacies?

Merits of POCSO

1. To have focused attention on child sexual abuse as rising cases in India (NCRB).
2. Special provisions that aim to provide conducive environment for children to share their abuse.
3. As provides for rehabilitation and all around care through counsellors it is welfare oriented.
4. Specially useful also against cyber grooming, stalking.
5. It is gender neutral thus even non girl children can be covered.
6. Sets certain age of consent to regulate child marriage and healthy sexual health.

But Inadequacies

1. Age of consent misused to file complaints against consensual sexual relations.
2. As perpetrators are often closed relatives - lack of provision for this.
3. Low conviction rates.
4. Some crimes made non-cognizable.

Thus POCSO should be reformed by :-

1. Greater deliberation among communities - like schools, parents, psychologics experts.
2. To ensure sexual awareness and education to children.