5.3.2. Children

National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR)

It is a statutory body created under Commissions for Protection of Child Rights (CPCR) Act, 2005 to exercise and performs the powers and functions assigned to it under CPCR Act, 2005. Its mission is to ensure that all laws, policies, programmes and administrative mechanisms are in consonance with the child rights perspective as enshrined in the Constitution of India as well as in, the United Nation Convention on the Rights of the Child, which India ratified in 1992.

It has various functions under following laws and rules-

♤ Commissions for Protection of Child Rights(CPCR) Act, 2005,

♤ The Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education(RTE) Act, 2009

♤ The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences(POCSO) Act

o The Commission website ncpcr.gov.in also has an e-Box to report cases of sexual violence where a user has to simply push a button named POSCO e-Box.

The functions and powers of the National Commission are following:

♤ Examine and review the legal safeguards provided by or under any law for the protection of child rights and recommend measures for their effective implementation

♤ Inquire into violation of child rights and recommend initiation of proceedings in such cases

♤ Spread awareness about child rights among various sections of society

♤ Undertake and promote research in the field of child rights

♤ Inspect institutions meant for juvenile/children

♤ Inquire into complaints of deprivation and violation of child rights, non-implementation of laws and non-compliance policy decisions, guidelines or instructions

♤ Undertake other necessary functions for the promotion of child rights.

♤ The Commission has the power of a civil court and all criminal cases brought to the same has to be forwarded to a concerned Magistrate who has jurisdiction to try the same.

POCSO e-Box for children

Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) e-Box is an online complaint box for reporting child sexual abuse. It is an NCPCR initiative to help children report such crimes directly to the Commission.