Archive · 13 Jun 2025
India's POCSO Victims Face Delays in Compensation Justice
Imagine kids who were hurt very badly.
The law says they should get money and help, but often they don't.
Some kids wait years for any money, which is unfair.
The rules are supposed to help, but they aren't always followed.
The government should create a special plan to ensure the kids get the help they need, like therapy and money for school.
Right now, it's not working well, and many kids are suffering because of it.
Many child victims of sexual assault in India are denied or receive inadequate compensation.
The POCSO Act mandates compensation within 30 days, but delays of years are common.
A dedicated compensation scheme for POCSO victims is lacking, unlike schemes for other crimes.
Courts often treat compensation as contingent on conviction, which is not always appropriate.
Experts suggest a uniform national scheme with broader support services is needed.
- Who
- Child victims of sexual assault and the justice system tasked with aiding them.
- What
- Many POCSO (Protection of Children from Sexual Offences) victims are not receiving timely or adequate compensation for the trauma they suffered.
- When
- Compensation delays occur for years, even after legal rulings, though the law stipulates disbursal within 30 days.
- Where
- Across India, in multiple states where the POCSO Act is implemented.
- Why
- The existing compensation frameworks are failing to deliver justice, resulting in delayed rehabilitation and support for vulnerable children.
Current Shortcomings
Recommended Reforms
Scheme Implementation
Current Shortcomings
Existing schemes are insufficient and lack uniformity, leading to inconsistent application across states.
Recommended Reforms
A lack of prioritization and funding for implementing victim compensation schemes, hindering effective support.
Judicial Discretion
Current Shortcomings
Courts' hesitancy in awarding compensation often stems from doubts about complaint veracity or victim behavior during trials.
Recommended Reforms
The judiciary's varied approaches and inconsistent application of compensation provisions contribute to delays and denial of justice.
- POCSO Act Enactment
- 2012
- Compensation Mandate
- Disbursal within 30 days of order
- Compensation Scheme
- Not uniform across states
- Cases without Compensation
- Significant number across India
- Interim Compensation
- Often not disbursed for years