The Child Welfare Committee Phek has appealed to the public, media organisations, civil society groups and social media users not to disclose any information that could reveal the identity of a child involved in a recent sexual abuse case.
In a public appeal issued on Thursday, the committee expressed concern over the circulation of information related to the case on social media and other public platforms. It urged people to avoid publishing or mentioning, either directly or indirectly, the name of the child survivor or the accused, their village, school, family details or any other information that could lead to the child’s identification.
The committee said the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012, along with other applicable legal provisions, strictly prohibits the disclosure of the identity of child victims of sexual offences. It noted that even indirect references, such as the name of a village, educational institution or other identifying details, could compromise the child’s privacy, dignity and safety.
Reiterating that the best interests of the child must remain the foremost priority in every case, the committee urged the public to extend support in a manner that protects the child’s welfare rather than putting it at further risk.
The committee also appealed to citizens not to publish or share the names of the survivor or the accused, avoid revealing any identifying particulars, and refrain from forwarding photographs, videos or documents related to the case. It further called for responsible reporting and urged the public to allow the investigation and judicial process to continue without prejudice.
