Certificate course for support persons in child sexual abuse cases launched
The Centre for Legal Action and Behaviour Change (C-LAB), an initiative focused on strengthening child protection systems, launched India’s first certificate course for support persons in child sexual abuse cases on Tuesday. This course aims to address the shortage of trained professionals in the field.
The move follows a 2023 Supreme Court directive mandating the appointment of support persons in all cases registered under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.
Support persons play a critical role in assisting child victims and their families — from offering psychological first aid to guiding them through police procedures, courtrooms and rehabilitation. However, with POCSO cases witnessing a sharp rise, there remains a severe shortage of trained support professionals across the country.
The new 10-week course, blending online and offline sessions, fieldwork and assignments, aims to fill this gap. It will equip social workers, counsellors and professionals in the child protection system with trauma-sensitive and child-friendly skills essential for supporting victims through the justice process.
The curriculum covers legal processes under POCSO, child rights, psychological first aid, trauma-sensitive communication and rehabilitation procedures.
“Justice is not only measured by verdicts but by the dignity with which a child is treated throughout the process,” said Bhuwan Ribhu, child rights activist and founder of Just Rights for Children, who led the inaugural session.
“Support persons are often the silent force behind this journey, guiding, protecting and grounding families in their most vulnerable moments. Whether in courtrooms, police stations or hospitals, they hold space for truth, healing and resilience,” he added.
Sangita Gaur, Course Director, said the course is open to individuals already working with child abuse victims and those entering the field of child protection. India had 2,43,237 POCSO cases pending in its Fast Track Special Courts (FTSCs) till January 31, 2023.
C-LAB, incubated by India Child Protection, focuses on building institutional capacity to respond to crimes against children, including trafficking, digital exploitation, and child marriage.
Delhi