Technical Education Dept. asks Karnataka colleges to take measures to protect adolescent students from abuse and exploitation

The Department of Technical Education (DTI) has issued a circular to colleges in its jurisdiction to take appropriate measures to protect students from abuse and exploitation, including the appointment of psychiatrists, counsellors and implementation of a digital and cyber safety policy.

Adolescence is a very sensitive stage in the life of a child. During this period physical, mental and social changes occur drastically, the circular noted.

It is the statutory duty of the government to protect children from all forms of violence, exploitation and dangers as per Articles 19, 24, 34 and 39 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) and Section 3 (Best Interests of the Child) of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015, Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) and State Child Protection Policy-2016, it noted.

This follows recommendation by the Karnataka State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (KSCPCR).

The circular stated that the Karnataka State Child Protection Policy-2016 (Revised-2023) should be strictly implemented in every PU college. And Child Protection Committees should be formed as per the JJ Act (Juvenile Justice) 2015 and the Karnataka State Child Protection Policy.

As per Section 19 of the POCSO Act-2012, any information of sexual offence should be reported immediately to the Police and Child Welfare Committee (CWC).

A Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) should be implemented to report on sexual offences in every college and a Code of Conduct should be put in place for all staff and students. Under the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006, if there is any suspicion of child marriage, the authorities concerned should be informed immediately. It was also recommended that all colleges display the articles of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child on a permanent display board.

Administrative measures

Among administrative measures, the order stated that qualified psychological counsellor should be appointed in every college. Adolescent health, sexual safety, online safety and legal awareness programmes should be conducted at least once every year. A digital safety and cyber security policy should be implemented in all colleges. Strict action should be taken against child pornography and online exploitation as per the Information Technology (IT) Act, the order noted.

A parent-student-counsellor meeting should be held at least once every semester. All students should be made to visit their nearest police station once a year under the ‘Open House’ programme.

Support measures

The skill education should be made mandatory for the personality development of children and to improve their self-defence skills. In addition, psychological and social support measures such as establishing Peer Support Groups/Buddy Systems in all colleges should be made so that students can provide psychological support to each other.

Regular mental health screening should be conducted to detect stress, anxiety, depression and suicidal tendencies among students. A Confidential Grievance Redressal Mechanism should be established for students to lodge complaints confidentially, the circular noted.