LI Network
Published on: January 8, 2024 at 10:10 IST
The Kerala High Court has recently advocated for the creation of programs providing psychiatric treatment for individuals accused of child sexual abuse under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO Act).
In response to this, the Court directed the formulation of a scheme by the Kerala State Legal Services Authority (KELSA) in consultation with the State Department of Health Services and the State Department of Social Justice, involving experts’ guidance.
This scheme aims to administer psychiatric treatment, including psychotherapy or pharmacological intervention, as needed, to prisoners and inmates in correctional facilities accused under the POCSO Act.
Justice Gopinath P emphasized the government’s role in implementing this initiative in collaboration with the Director General of Police (Prisons) to curtail the recurrence of such offenses.
Concurrently, the Court prioritized therapy for victims of sexual assault, instructing the Secretary of the Department of Social Justice to create a scheme, in association with the Department of Health Services and Kerala State Legal Services Authority, focusing on scientifically-based sex therapy for survivors. The aim is to facilitate rehabilitation and societal reintegration for the victims.
Furthermore, the Court issued directives to sensitize educators and caregivers in institutions where sexual abuse survivors are placed. It ordered collaboration between the Secretaries of Higher Education and General Education in Kerala with legal services and victim rights authorities to devise guidelines ensuring equitable treatment for sexual abuse victims.
These directives transpired while adjudicating a bail plea by a 19-year-old accused of sexually abusing his 13-year-old sister.
The Court, considering the circumstances, approved bail with specific conditions, such as mandatory reporting to a Probation Officer and prohibition from entering his home district.