International Journal of Social Science Research (IJSSR)

Challenging in Implementing the POCSO Act: Bridging the Gap Between Law and Reality: A Comparative Analysis with Global Child Protection Standards

The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012, represents a critical legislative framework in India aimed at safeguarding children from sexual abuse and exploitation. Despite its comprehensive provisions and intent, the implementation of the POCSO Act faces significant challenges that hinder its effectiveness. This paper critically examines the gap between the legal framework and ground realities by identifying barriers, including limited stakeholder awareness, underreporting of cases, procedural delays, inadequate victim support systems, and prevailing societal stigmas. The research further contextualises these challenges by comparing them with global child protection standards, including the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), as well as best practices from countries such as the United Kingdom, the United States, and Australia. The analysis reveals both progress and persistent deficiencies in India's approach, underscoring the need for holistic reforms, enhanced inter-agency coordination, and child-centric policies. Recommendations are provided to bridge the law-reality divide, emphasising capacity building, policy amendments, and international collaboration. Ultimately, the study advocates for a multidimensional strategy to ensure the effective protection of children, aligning national laws with global benchmarks. Keywords:- child protection, implementation, challenges, global standards, legal framework, comparative analysis