This is Child Safety Week, and Arpan, India’s largest NGO working to prevent Child Sexual Abuse (CSA), has launched the #ProtectedByPOCSO Campaign.

This initiative aims to address the pressing issue of CSA by directly targeting offenders with a clear message: Stop Right Now or Get Caught.

The campaign highlights the legal consequences under the POCSO Act (Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses, 2012) and emphasizes the serious social repercussions of such actions. The goal is to educate communities, deter offenders, and create a safer environment for children by spreading awareness about the law and its protections.

Child Sexual Abuse affects 1 in 2 children in India and the country saw an 8.7% increase in 2022. At least 90% of the offenders are known to children. However, the campaign emphasizes that prevention is possible with awareness and education.

All children in India are protected by the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act or POCSO. The Act came into effect in 2012 and was created to protect children from sexual abuse, sexual harassment, and pornography. In 2019, the Act was amended with stricter punishments. The Act is gender neutral and defines ‘child’ as anyone under 18 years. Punishment for sexual harassment of a child is imprisonment for up to 3 years with a fine.

Arpan’s campaign has received support from prominent Bollywood stars such as Vidya Balan. The campaign includes child safety messages displayed across public transport systems in Mumbai. Data from the NGO confirms that 25% of unsafe experiences happen in public places. 

It carries a powerful message:

Child Sexual Abuse is a punishable offence. Stop Right Now or Get Caught.

For more on the campaign, check out:

• Child Safety Week – Arpan NGO
• Download the Caregivers Handbook