Technical education department asks Karnataka colleges to take measures to protect teenage students from abuse and exploitation
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The Department of Technical Education (DTI) has issued a circular for universities in its jurisdiction to take appropriate measures to protect students from abuse and exploitation, including the appointment of psychiatrists, counselors and the implementation of a digital and cyber security policy.
Adolescence is a very sensitive stage in a child’s life. Drastic physical, mental and social changes take place during this period, the circular noted.
It is the government’s legal duty to protect children from all forms of violence, exploitation and danger under Articles 19, 24, 34 and 39 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) and section 3 (Best interests of the child) of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015, Child Sexual Protection and Protection of Children from Offenses POCSO Politics-2016, he noted.
This follows the recommendations of the Karnataka State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (KSCPCR).
The circular stated that the Karnataka State Child Protection Policy-2016 (Revised-2023) should be strictly implemented in every PU college. And Child Protection Committees should be constituted as per JJ (Juvenile Justice) Act 2015 and Karnataka State Child Protection Policy.
According to Section 19 of the POCSO Act 2012, any information about a sexual offense should be reported immediately to the Police Commission and the Child Welfare Committee (CWC).
Every college should have a standard operating procedure (SOP) for reporting sexual offenses and a code of conduct for all staff and students. According to the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act 2006, authorities should be informed immediately if child marriage is suspected. It was also recommended that all colleges post the articles of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child on a permanent notice board.
Administrative measures
Among the administrative measures, the regulation stated that a qualified psychological counselor should be appointed in each college. Adolescent health, sexual safety, online safety and legal awareness programs should be conducted at least once a year. A digital security and cyber security policy should be in place in all higher education institutions. Under the Information Technology (IT) Act, strict measures should be taken against child pornography and online exploitation.
A meeting of parents, students, and counselors should be held at least once per semester. All students should be made to visit the nearest police station once a year as part of the ‘Open House’ programme.
Support measures
Skills education should be mandatory for the development of children’s personality and to improve their self-defense skills. In addition, psychological and social support measures such as the establishment of peer support groups/buddy systems should be adopted in all universities so that students can provide psychological support to each other.
Regular mental health screenings should be conducted to detect stress, anxiety, depression and suicidal tendencies among students. A confidential grievance redressal mechanism should be created for students to file complaints confidentially, the circular said.
Published – 22 May 2026 20:53 IST