December 12, 2022, 8:45 PM ISTSource: TOI.in
There is an intent among the judiciary and activists to revisit the age of consent prescribed under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses (POCSO) Act 2012. Ten years after the POCSO bill was passed, Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud expressed concern about the culture of silence surrounding child sexual abuse. CJI Chandrachud said the state should encourage families to report abuse, even in cases where the perpetrator is a relative. During the inaugural session of the two-day national program on the implementation of the Pocso Act 2012, the CJI also urged the legislature to consider growing concerns about the “age of consent” under the law.