The govt plans to introduce a law to make child abuse punishable. If you slap your child hard, the govt can slap a three-year jail term on you.
NEW DELHI: Some time soon, if you slap your child hard, the government could slap a three-year jail term on you.
The government plans to introduce a law to make child abuse punishable. The maximum penalty will be seven years in jail.
The draft Bill for Offence against Child, which is being prepared by the ministry of woman and child development, has proposed punishment for several acts of physical and emotional abuse. They include kicking and slapping; hitting brutally; denying equal rights to girls; and subjecting children to humiliation and harsh treatment. The draft bill has been sent to the Union law ministry for consideration.
The draft has the first formal definition of child abuse, which also encompasses sexual torment. When it becomes law, even corporal punishment will be banned in schools. Contravention of the ban would lead to three years in jail and the imposition of a fine.
Other offences, such as pornography and the neglect of the girl child, which are not covered currently under law, have been brought under the purview of the proposed legislation.
A child has been defined as anyone under 18. But other laws, such as the Prevention of Child Labour Act, will continue to hold that the maximum age of a child is 14.
The woman and child development ministry, already facing flak for the contentious Domestic Violence against Women (Prevention) Bill, is treading carefully. Similar laws in the US have been heavily criticised.
“We all have been hit by our parents at some point or the other,” said Sangeeta, a parent. “That is an important form of disciplining. Relations between parents and children are going to suffer because of such laws.” Activists, however, feel there is a need for parents’ attitude to change.
Punishable acts
Physical abuse
Kicking, slapping brutally, beating with a stick
Sexual abuse
Severe forms include acts such as making the child fondle private parts, making the child exhibit private parts, and photographing the child naked
Other offences Include acts such as forcible kissing, and exposure to pornography
Girl-child neglect
Less attention compared to brothers, smaller food share
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