SCPCR remains defunct despite increasing crimes against children

As more and more crimes against children are being registered in Tamil Nadu, including cases under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses (POCSO) Act, the central body that monitors the implementation of relevant laws – the State Commission for Protection of Rights of the Child (SCPCR) – has not been active for more than two years.

Child rights activists point out that without the oversight body, assessment of such incidents and measures to address them will continue to be delayed.

According to the Tamil Nadu Police policy note, the number of POCSO cases registered has increased in recent years, with as many as 4,589 cases registered in 2023; 4,968 cases in 2022 and 4,465 in 2021.

While the increase in cases also provides an indication of the number of people reporting, activists pointed out that the trend will continue. “POCSO cases will continue to increase and without a functioning SCPCR, there is no one to monitor the cases, intervene or even investigate the reasons for the increase. Today, not only crimes against children are increasing, but also crimes by children,” says child rights activist A. Devaneyan.

In 2022, the DMK-led government had ordered the reconstruction of the SCPCR after dismantling the committee set up by the AIADMK government in 2021. The members had approached the court as the tenure of the committee was three years. Yet the SCPCR remains non-functional.

The committee monitors the implementation of the POCSO Act, the Juvenile Justice Act, the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act and the Right to Education Act. “Only civil society organizations have expressed their concerns now that the committee remains defunct. Keeping SCPCR in this state is like disrespecting the child,” said child rights activist Andrew Sesuraj.

Activists also noted that SCPCR requires “more teeth” and better budget allocation. “Further, members should be appointed on the basis of their expertise and not on the basis of political connections,” Mr Devaneyan added.

According to sources in the Child Welfare and Special Services Department, the committee cannot be formed until the trial is over. The department has been monitoring the function of SCPCR on a case-by-case basis through the secretary of the committee, she added.