The Haryana State Legal Services Authority (HALSA) has been running an awareness campaign in schools to educate children about the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012.
The campaign started on May 13 and is being conducted through District Legal Services Authorities (DLSAs) across the state. District education officials, school principals, teachers and other people involved in child welfare are also part of the programme.
According to PTI, 2,296 awareness programmes were held in 1,731 schools and educational institutions between May 13 and August 15. The sessions reached 3,10,841 students, an official statement said.
Students learn about safety and cyber risks
The sessions are not limited to explaining the POCSO law. Students are also being taught about personal safety, responsible behaviour and the safe use of technology.
Officials are discussing issues such as social media, cyber safety and the risks of exploitation and abuse. Students are also being told about the ways they can report an incident and seek help if they feel unsafe.
The sessions are being conducted in a way that allows students to understand these issues according to their age and surroundings.
Campaign focuses on awareness and prevention
The main aim of the campaign is to make children aware of their rights and the protection available to them under the POCSO Act.
Officials are also stressing the importance of recognising unsafe situations and speaking to a trusted person or approaching the appropriate authorities when necessary.
The campaign involves schools and education officials across Haryana so that the message can reach students in different parts of the state.
HALSA has also emphasised that child safety awareness should not be treated as a one-time exercise. Regular discussions in schools can help children understand their rights and know where to turn when they need assistance.
With more than 3.1 lakh students covered so far, the campaign has taken legal and child-safety awareness to a large number of schools across Haryana.
