Supreme Court Seeks State Responses on Appointment of Support Persons for Child Abuse Victims

The Supreme Court has directed state governments to submit compliance reports regarding the appointment of 'support persons' for child sexual abuse victims. The guidelines, prepared by the NCPCR, are essential for ensuring proper assistance to victims. The states must respond within four weeks, as per the court's directive.

The Supreme Court has called upon state governments to provide their responses on the appointment of 'support persons' for child sexual abuse victims, following the guidelines established by the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR).

A bench comprising Justices BV Nagarathna and N Kotiswar Singh has set an October 22 hearing date and mandated that states file compliance reports on the NCPCR guidelines within four weeks, as per the order dated August 18, 2023.

In a plea filed by NGO 'Bachpan Bachao Andolan,' the court emphasized the need for state governments to adhere to the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) outlined by the NCPCR. The guidelines detail the role of a 'support person,' assigned by the Child Welfare Committee (CWC) to assist child victims during investigations and trials.

During the proceedings, counsel for NCPCR affirmed that efforts are underway to implement the court’s directives, although some states have yet to comply. The apex court underscored that true justice in child abuse cases is not just about punishing the perpetrator but also ensuring victim support and security.

The court had earlier directed the Centre and NCPCR to develop guidelines for appointing support persons under the POCSO Act, emphasizing the importance of their role in restoring victims' dignity and sense of security.