Child pornography and sexual abuse in child care institutions

Treating children as sexual objects is not a new phenomenon. With technological inventions and, specifically, the development of the Internet, crime has also entered the cyber world. The Internet, while promoting global communication, also accrues various evils. Child pornography has become one such resultant menace. Child pornography involves the deliberate sexual exploitation of a child. Section 13¹ of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012², defines the offence of child pornography for the purpose of the Act and prescribes punishment in subsequent provisions. Child care institutions have been mandated with the responsibility of taking care of vulnerable children and their upbringing. Their responsibility becomes more important as such children do not have families or their parents are not in a position to take care of them. This paper highlights the issues and challenges in dealing with child pornography, within the context of child care institutions.