INTER COLLEGE LAW FEST 2024 SENSITIZATION AND ENRICHMENT PROGRAM ON PROTECTION OF CHILDREN FROM SEXUAL OFFENSES (POCSO)

The Inter College Law Fest 2024 - Sensitization and Enrichment Program on Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO), held on August 23rd, 2024, at Saveetha School of Law, was a significant event aimed at raising awareness and deepening understanding of the POCSO Act among students and professionals from various institutions. The program had 260 participants, including school students, and was organized by the POSH Cell of Saveetha School of Law. The event began with an inaugural session led by Mr. Ilayavel Shanmugam, Assistant Professor of Saveetha School of Law, who welcomed the guests and participants and outlined the objectives of the program. The keynote addresses were the highlight of the event, with Prof. Dr. P. Madhava Soma Sundaram,F.I.S.C and Founder of the Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice, Manonmaniam Sundaranar University providing a situational analysis of the POCSO Act. His insights offered a comprehensive view of child harassment and the challenges faced by legal authorities. Shri. Rajkumar Muthukrishnan, Chairperson of the Child Welfare Committee (CWC) followed with an engaging session on real-time case studies, illustrating the practical application of POCSO in safeguarding children. The interactive sessions that ensued allowed participants to engage directly with the speakers, fostering a deeper understanding through Q&A sessions. The event concluded with closing remarks from faculty coordinator Aruna Iyappan, who summarized the key takeaways and thanked all participants and organizers. The feedback from participants was overwhelmingly positive, highlighting the program's success in raising awareness and empowering students with the knowledge to protect themselves and others. The event not only achieved its goal of enhancing legal literacy but also fostered interdisciplinary collaboration among attendees, contributing to a collective effort to create safer environments for children.