Bangalore, Sep 2: Zero tolerance against child abuse in any form must be the policy towards children studying in all schools and institutions, said Archbishop of Bangalore Dr Bernard Moras.
He was speaking at the two-day workshop jointly organised by the Karnataka Regional Organisation for Social Service (KROSS) and the Karnataka Regional Commission for Education (KRCE) on promotion and protection of child rights and good governance in Christian Institutions, which concluded in Bangalore on Tuesday.
The Archbishop dwelt on length on Sexual Harassment and said transfer of the persons accused of child abuse was not the solution and felt.
The offenders must be given strict punishment and the perpetrators should not be spared at any cost, the Archbishop said.
Mangalore MLA J R Lobo, who spoke on the Right to Education Act, which considerably affects the Minority Schools and assured that he would take up with the Government for bringing in changes that would safeguard the interest of minorities.
He said a delegation needs to be taken to the Government to convince on the issues affecting the community and institutions..
The Workshop was facilitated by Robinson D’souza, former Law Secretary to the Government of Karnataka who explained threadbare to the participants the nuances of the Sexual Harassment Act, labour laws, POCSO Act, JJ Act and Child Rights.
The other speakers were Vincent Concesso, former Assistant Labour Commissioner, FrEdward, sdb and FrPramod.
Fr Peter Brank, Director, KROSS, briefed on the need of the Workshop and how it needs to be carried forward so that the Management and the Staff are educated on the various Acts.
The participants, who had come from all over Karnataka, appreciated the workshop and termed it as excellent.
Fr Eugene Lobo, Secretary, KRCE, welcomed. Fr Valerian Sequeira, Joint Secretary, KRCE proposed the vote of thanks.Sr Nancy Lobo compered the programme.
Courtesy : Daijiworld