New Delhi:The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) India recently held a webinar “Online child Sexual Abuse Material”. NHRC member Jyotika Kalra chaired the weninar and the inaugural address was presented by NHRC secretary general Jaideep Govind.
The aim of the conference was to address the problem of increasing use and demand for child sexual abuse material especially during the lock down period.
Some of the important suggestions emanated from the deliberations are as follows:-
1. Discussing with and making children aware about their bodies and sexual expression through sex education, including sensitizing them to prevent their grooming than criminalizing their natural curiosity as a first step in ensuring their safety online;
2. Improving the process of report incidences relating to circulation of CSAM material including expanding the scope of existing helpline numbers and tracking portals;
3. Establishing district-wise task force to address the issue;
4. Adopting a zero-tolerance police when such incidences are reported;
5. Conducting training programmes for children, parents and schools to address the issue of cyber safety;and
6. Evolving systems to filter CSAM content than blocking pornographic websites.
Yashwant Jain- Member, NCPCR, Balsing Rajput- SP-Cyber, Maharashtra, Uma Subramanian- Co-Director, Aarambh India,Bharti Ali- Executive Director, HAQ-CRC, and Dr. Sunitha Krishnan- Padma Shri Awardee & Founding Chief Functionary of Prajwala, shed light upon the different aspects pertaining to the menace.
A publication by NHRC, titled ‘UNCRC and Indian Legislations, Judgements & Schemes-A Comparative Study by NHRC’ was also officially released by Kalra during this conference.
