News Highlight
The CBI conducted searches called “Operation Megh Chakra” against child sexual abuse material.
Key Takeaway
- The CBI conducted searches at 59 locations across 20 states and one Union Territory as part of a pan-India drive against the circulation and sharing of child sexual abuse material.
Operation Megh Chakra
- The operation code-named “Megh Chakra” was carried out following the inputs received from Interpol’s Singapore special unit based on the information received from the authorities in New Zealand.
- The CBI later decided to send requests to several countries for sharing and gathering information under the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaties (MLATs) on those involved in the racket.
Operation Carbon
- Last November, the CBI launched a similar exercise codenamed “Operation Carbon”, searching the premises of suspects in 13 states and one Union Territory.
Child Pornography
- The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Amendment) Bill, 2019 defines child pornography as any visual depiction of sexually explicit conduct involving a child, which includes a photograph, video, digital or computer-generated image indistinguishable from an actual child.
Reasons for Child Pornography
- Digital technologies:
- Mobile and digital technologies have amplified child abuse and exploitation. New forms of child abuse like online bullying, harassment, and child pornography have also emerged.
- Low Conviction Rate:
- The conviction rate under the Protection of Children Against Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act is only about 32% if one takes the average of the past five years, and the percentage of pending cases is 90%.
- Judicial Delay:
- The Kathua Rape case took 16 months for the main accused to be convicted, whereas the POCSO Act mentions that the entire trial and conviction process has to be done in one year.
- Lack of awareness:
- Sometimes, children don’t know about the legislation and legal protection against abuse.
- Conceal the cases:
- Sexual abuse against children is often not reported. Sometimes the cases are amicably settled.
Impact of Pornography
- Individual impact:
- Porn creates a psychological impact on individuals. It is associated with depression, anger, and anxiety. It can lead to mental distress. It also impacts day-to-day functioning, the biological clock, work, and social relationships.
- Societal impact:
- Watching porn may trigger child abuse and crimes against women, leading to social unrest.
- Sexual addiction:
- According to some experts, pornography is an addiction. It produces a similar effect on the brain as that produced by the regular consumption of drugs or alcohol regularly.
- Behavioural impact:
- Male adolescents who view pornography frequently are more likely to view women as sex objects and commodities.
Government Measures
- Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Amendment) Bill, 2019:
- The Act penalised the storage of pornographic material for commercial purposes with a punishment of up to three years, a fine, or both.
- However, the bill increases it to 3-5 years.
- National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal:
- National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (NCCRP) is an efficient platform where the government has taken the initiative to report cybercrime complaints online.
- It comes under the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Way forward
- The banning of pornography:
- Child porn and porn showing sexual violence should be banned immediately.
- Awareness:
- Awareness and sex education are a must and should be made compulsory in schools.
- New-age technologies:
- Parents and teachers must be skilled at dealing with children in the modern era and technology.
- Open conversations:
- It is essential for parents and teachers to be able to initiate open conversations about their children’s online experiences.
Content Source: The Hindu