300 of 1,000 fast track courts in country are for POCSO cases: Union Minister Smriti Irani

Minister of Women and Child Development of India Smirti Irani on Saturday stressed on the need to prevent the re-traumatisation of child sexual abuse survivors during the justice delivery process. .The minister was speaking at the Inaugural Session of rthe a two-day national consultation on the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO Act), organized by the Supreme Court Committee on Juvenile Justice, in association with UNICEF.She said that with respect to police administration, there is a need to improve our system at the stage of collection of evidence and engaging with the victim."This, I speak, from the purpose of preventing re-traumatisation of the victim," the Union Minister saidPertinently, the minister highlighted the Government of India's commitment to deal with POCSO cases."Under the directions of the Prime Minister, with the support of the Nirbhaya fund, the Government of India has actualised over 1,000 fast track courts in the country, out of which 300 courts are particularly dedicated to the cause of children and the POCSO Act," she said. .She went on to request stakeholders and judges to tell the Ministry how it could, infrastructurally partner with the justice system in the country to ensure expedited solutions for children."40 per cent of hearings on POCSO cases are spent on the stage of evidence. With respect to our police administration, how can we better our system at the stage of collection of evidence and engaging with the victim?", she said in this regard. She also asked for suggestions on methodologies that the Government of India, especially the Ministry of Women and Child Development, could develop to help children and guardians get a conclusion with respect to justice and compensation."Children are the only entity in this country who are not a vote bank. They need our consideration and kindness consistently. Today we still have a mechanism which needs a robust intervention.".She also drew attention to a conversation she had with Justice S Ravindra Bhat of the Supreme Court regarding protecting the mental health of not just the survivors, but also judges and prosecutors who engage with the cases."Can you imagine the judges and prosecutors who bring forth the evidence, engage with the victims. Have we ever reflected on the need to give them support? That will also help strengthen the system," Irani said.