New Delhi, May 31: In a bid to ensure maximum relief, the central government has urged all the states and Union Territories to take necessary steps for including male child victims of sexual abuse in the Victim Compensation Fund.
Notably, Women and Child Development Minister Maneka Gandhi in a letter to the Chief Ministers of all States and Union Territories urged to issue necessary directions to the concerned departments to take necessary steps for including male child victims of sexual abuse in the Victim Compensation Scheme/Fund.
Minister Maneka Gandhi has also requested that compensation including interim compensation may be given to the victim on time. In a letter, the minister further highlighted that POCSO Act is gender neutral and safeguards the interest of not only the girl child but also the male child.
The letter also mentioned that as per NCPCR data, though 31 State Governments have notified their Victim Compensation Scheme under Rule 7, POCSO Rules, 2012, the disbursements of compensation has not been uniform or satisfactory.
The Women and Child Development Minister have also drawn attention that in some of the States the interim compensation to child victims of sexual abuse is not being awarded to meet the immediate medical and other needs of the child for relief or rehabilitation. The letter, in the end, also stressed that male child who is the most neglected victim of child sexual abuse is being ignored for an award of compensation and needs to be included.