KOCHI: The government should establish special courts to hear cases related to sexual atrocities against children, said Kerala State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) acting chairman P Mohanadas. Inaugurating the media seminar on POCSO Act organised jointly by the Information and Public Relations Department and Ernakulam Press Club at the Kerala Chamber of Commerce and Industry Conference Hall here on Thursday, he said the government should ensure a system for speedy disposal of POCSO cases. There is a need to create awareness among the public about the POCSO Act, he said.
According to him, the police stations should be made child-friendly and the police should collect evidence from the children in the presence of the parents. The media should desist from sensationalising such cases and avoid publishing details of the children who are subjected to sexual assault, he said.
While reporting sexual assault on children, the media should be cautious, said former MP Sebastian Paul.
Reporters should acquire knowledge about human rights and maintain ethics in journalism, said Public Relations director T V Subhash. Lawyer Parvati Sanjay and District Child Protection Officer K B Saina spoke on the occasion.
PRD regional deputy director N Radhakrishna Pillai, Press Club president D Dileep, secretary Sugathan P Balan, Kerala Union of Working Journalists general secretary C Narayanan and District Information Officer Nijas Jewel were present.