Thane School Principal and Attendant Arrested for Strip-Searching Students
The principal and a female attendant of a school in Maharashtra's Thane district have been arrested for allegedly forcing about 10 female students to strip to check if they were menstruating. The incident occurred after bloodstains were found in a school washroom. Four teachers and two school trustees have also been booked under the POCSO Act and other relevant sections following protests by parents. The case has sparked national outrage over the violation of children's dignity and safety in schools.
Unpacked:
The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012, criminalizes sexual offenses against children under 18. It covers physical, emotional, and sexual abuse, including actions that violate a child's dignity and privacy. The staff were booked under this act because forcibly stripping students is a form of sexual harassment and abuse, which POCSO seeks to prevent and punish.
Maharashtra has the highest number of POCSO cases in India, with 8,503 cases registered from 2017–2019. Cases of abuse of minors in Maharashtra have been rising, from 2,398 cases in 2017 to 3,161 in 2019. While not all involve schools, several cases implicate school staff, reflecting ongoing concerns about child safety in educational settings.
Authorities typically arrest the accused, register cases under POCSO and related laws, and may suspend or dismiss implicated staff. In some states, special protocols are being developed to ensure child safety, and there is a push for child-friendly environments in schools. However, conviction rates remain relatively low, and implementation of preventive measures varies by region.
India’s Ministry of Women and Child Development operates 'One Stop Centres' (Sakhi centers) to provide legal, medical, and psychological support to child victims and their families. These centers help with counseling, police procedures, and rehabilitation, aiming to reduce trauma and support recovery.