A Study on Awareness of POCSO Act & Sec 375 I.P.C Amongst the Medical Professionals at Puducherry – A Cross Sectional Study

Child sexual abuse, the most under reported crime, has gained public attention in the past years. The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act 2012 (POCSO) is a gender neutral friendly act to protect children from sexual related offences. Rape (Sec 375 IPC) law is amended with a sole agenda of safeguarding women and to ensure justice delivery with emphasis on physical and mental health care during judicial proceedings. The aim is to study the awareness of POCSO Act 2012 & Sec 375 IPC (Indian Penal Code) amongst the medical professionals in the state of Puducherry. It's a cross sectional study, conducted among the pre, para and clinical faculties & nurses. The total sample size was 305 and the sampling procedure used was convenience sampling. The study participants were consenting medical professionals. Out of nine questions on general information of child sexual abuse, only four questions were answered correctly by more than 50% of the participants. Out of thirteen questions asked on POCSO Act, only five questions were answered correctly by more than 50% of the participants. Out of eleven questions asked about the Sec 375 IPC (Rape), only one question was answered correctly by more than 50% of the participants. On analysing the outcome of the study, it is very much evident that medical professionals are not up to date regarding the recent amendments in the law related to medical field. It is mandatory to create awareness of POCSO act & Rape laws in the society. This lack of knowledge, may subject many children & women to repeated victimization.