Bharosa centre to have court for child victims

Hyderabad: Following High Court’s nod for the proposal of setting up a designated children’s court (to try cases under the POCSO Act), the Bharosa centre in the city will come up with the setup within a month, where the child victims will feel free to provide statements.

Disclosing this to media persons, Swati Lakra, Additional Commissioner (Crimes), said the court would be child-friendly and set up as per the guidelines provided in the POCSO (Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act), 2012. It will have all the required facilities in order to make the child feel comfortable and at ease to speak to the Judge and advocates. Apart from the innovative and child-friendly court hall designed according to the principles and guidelines laid down, a special child room having video conference facility and a restroom for the victims of violence will be set up.

Rooms for judicial officers, prosecutors, defence advocates and waiting area for common public also will be set up. “The court will ensure that the child is not exposed in any way to the accused at the time of recording of the evidence, at the same time ensuring that the accused is in a position to hear the statement of the child and communicate with his advocate. For this purpose, one-way mirror would be used. There will also be a provision for live-link television testimony of the child to be taken in a room outside the court hall and be televised to the court room. There will be a separate entry for the child for this purpose,” said the official.

This will be the second of its kind only after Delhi, where children will be able to testify their victimisation. Offences will be tried under the POCSO Act on the premises of HACA Bhavan at the Bharosa Centre for speedy disposal of child sexual abuse cases. Bharosa support centre for women and children was launched on May 7, 2016, with the sole aim of providing support to the victims of severe cases of violence like rape, serious cases of domestic violence and child sexual abuse under POCSO Act 2012.

Since its launch, more than 2,900 cases of different types have been dealt with and many victims were provided counselling, support, legal aid, medical examination, police and prosecution help, shelter, compensation as well as placements in order to make a victim of violence who enters Bharosa go out smiling with confidence and new hope in life. “There is a video conference facility for victims at Bharosa to record statements by the magistrate, through video mode without appearing in the open court, which is being implemented for the first time in India,” added the official.