NGO Arpan Launches India’s First Ever Large-Scale Public Awareness Campaign On POCSO 

Mumbai, Nov 15, 2024:  NGO Arpan has launched a large-scale public awareness campaign aimed directly at child sexual offenders. This campaign, called #ProtectedByPOCSO, carries a powerful and clear message: Child Sexual Abuse is a punishable offense –  Stop Right Now or Get Caught. It is an urgent call to action against CSA offenders, delivering a powerful warning that they will face serious legal consequences under the POCSO Act (Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses, 2012) as well as social consequences. 

An alarming 50% of children in India (MWCD 2007) experience sexual abuse and 182 cases are reported everyday (NCRB 2022). Arpan is dedicated to preventing Child Sexual Abuse (CSA) and helping children heal. Through its various programmes and initiatives, Arpan works towards creating a safer environment for children across India. Since 2007, Arpan has impacted over 18.4 million children and adults across India. 

Arpan’s campaign also seeks to educate the public on what constitutes CSA, emphasising that it is neither acceptable nor tolerable given that 42% of all crimes against children are sexual offenses. By creating widespread awareness of CSA laws and protections, Arpan aims to deter offenders from continuing these crimes, ensuring they understand that they will be held accountable.

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“It’s time we address the root of the problem and deter Child Sexual Offenders from sexually abusing children ,” said Pooja Taparia, Founder and CEO of Arpan. “We want every offender to know that they won’t get away. They are being watched and once their family, friends and colleagues find out they will also isolate them. Our children are also protected by the POCSO Act, and offenders need to stop right now or they will be caught and jailed and face severe consequences,” she said. 

Joining the campaign, Bollywood actress Vidya Balan shared, “I am proud to support Arpan’s mission and the #ProtectedByPOCSO campaign. Our children deserve a safe world, and offenders must understand that they need to stop abusing children or they will face severe legal repercussions. Let’s make this message loud and clear!”

In partnership with the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA), Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC), and Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST), child safety messages are being displayed across public transport systems in Mumbai and Thane. The campaign is featured on billboards, Mumbai Metro trains (Line 2A and 7), TMC buses, and BEST buses, as well as on installations outside schools. It is also being featured in PVR theaters across multiple locations in Mumbai and on OTT platforms.