SC flags misuse of POCSO Act to punish adolescent relations.
About POCSO Act:
•The Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses (POCSO) Act, 2012
•Enacted in consequence to India’s ratification of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child in 1992.
•Aims to address offences of sexual exploitation and sexual abuse of children.
•The Act defines a child as any person below the age of 18 years.
Features:
Gender-Neutral Nature: recognises t both girls and boys can be victims of sexual abuse .
Confidentiality of Victim’s Identity: Section 23 of the POCSO Act, 2012 mandates that the identity of child victims must be kept confidential.
Mandatory Reporting of Child Abuse Cases: Sections 19 to 22 compel individuals who have knowledge or reasonable suspicion of such offenses to report them to concerned authorities.
IAS-2026 - OPTIONAL / GEOGRAPHY / PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION / SOCIOLOGY / ANTHROPOLOGY / ORIENTATION ON 03 & 04-10-2025 
