HT Correspondent
HOJAI, May 18: In collaboration with the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA) Hojai, the Family Strengthening Program of SOS Children’s Village Hojai organised an awareness program on the POCSO Act (Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012) for Bal Panchayat members and children of Dhanuhar Basti FS Cluster in Hojai on Friday. Merlin Hazarika, secretary of DLSA Hojai, was the resource person for the program. While speaking at the awareness program, the resource person discussed in detail the POCSO Act, its different ways of reporting, punishments, and policies for supporting children and families, with support from DLSA and district administration. Additionally, the role of the Child Welfare Committee was elaborately discussed, with various examples and audiovisual shows from the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) and Childline. Furthermore, she highlighted different child rights and safeguarding measures, including the reporting mechanism, the role of family members, and the District Child Protection Unit (DCPU), which was discussed with children. The Family Strengthening Team of SOS CV Hojai coordinated the awareness program. Approximately 142 children from Dhanuhar Basti participated in the program.
