Publications warned against printing photos of child abuse victims

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: The Directorate of Child Protection (DCP) has given strict directives to comply with the Juvenile Justice (Custody and Protection) Amendment Act 2021, stating that disclosure of information and photographs of children is a punishable offence under Section 74 of the Juvenile Justice (Custody and Protection) Amendment Act 2021.

The Director of the DCP has expressed concern over the recent publication of the child's photograph and name in the media reports about the sexual abuse of a minor girl in Malavalli taluk of Mandya district.

"Section 74 of the Juvenile Justice (Custody and Protection of Children) Amendment Act 2021 makes it a punishable offense to disclose information and photographs of children.

He also said that in Section 75 of the Amendment Act, disclosure of children's information is punishable and Section 23(2) of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 also prohibits disclosure of children's identity," the director said.

The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act 2012 does not use the term rape; Instead, the director stated that the word "sexual crime" is mentioned in the act itself, and he said that in cases of sexual abuse of children, words that are not suitable for children should not be used, and children's names and photographs should not be published, and no details of children's identities should be published.

According to the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act-2015, there is no use of the word "juvenile delinquents"; instead, "children" should be used when in conflict with the law. "observatory" should be used instead of the word "remand home," he said.

According to Section 74 of the Children's Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act-2015, the publication of the name of a child and any identifying details of a child who is facing a case in conflict with the law (in cases where the child is accused of wrongdoing or committing a crime) or in need of protection and protection and service under the Act is prohibited.

Violation will result in imprisonment of up to 6 months and fine of up to 2 lakhs, he explained. "No identity of the child shall be disclosed in any newspaper, magazine or visual media report relating to the investigation of a child facing legal action or in need of protection, protection, and services. And children's portraits cannot be published.

Any person who violates this section will be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to 6 months and a fine which may extend to 2 lakhs," he said. He also said that any person or media organization publishing identity of a rape victim under Section 228 (A) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) will be punished with imprisonment for 2 years and fine, he said.