11.6.11

Times of India

Experts divided on definition of child


LUCKNOW: The government intending to put a curb on increasing child sexual abuse by introducing a bill with stringent punishment gained support from academicians, jurists, and professionals from the field of child care and development at the regional consultation on the proposed law against child sexual abuse. However, experts were not unanimous as who shall be considered a child. The consultation was organised by Dr Ram Manohar Lohiya National Law University in collaboration with national commission for protection of child rights, New Delhi.

Member, Bihar State Commission for Protection of Child Rights, Lalita Singh said, Anyone who is below 18 years is a child. This is a fact which is popular worldwide. She however, disagreed on Section 7 of the bill, which provides for no punishment if the consent for sexual act has been obtained with a person aged between 16 to 18 years. It is wrong to act on a childs consent, who is between 16-18 years, said Lalita.