NCW backs govt proposal to treat juvenile rapists as adults

New Delhi: Even though the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) has opposed the Women and Child Development ministry’s proposal about trying juveniles involved in heinous crimes as adults, the National Commission for Women today backed the government’s move. “There is almost 45 per cent of cases of rapes in which juveniles above 16 years of age are involved, so just saying that they should not be punished as they are juveniles and sending them to reform homes further strengthens their morale,” said NCW Chairperson, Mamta Sharma. But then, she said, it should vary from case to case. [caption id=“attachment_1621583” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  A woman breaks down during a protest rally against rape in Delhi. AFP.[/caption] “There should be a proper investigation, the psychological aspects and even the circumstantial aspects should be looked into while deciding on such cases,” she said. However, supporting the government’s move, Sharma said that there is a need to amend the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2000. Sharma also stressed on juvenile reforms and said that juvenile delinquents, especially those involved in heinous crimes, should be roped in to carry out social activities like tending to rape victims and the elderly. “They should know what a rape victim goes through after she is raped. That is why they should be made to attend interactions with such women violence victims, not the ones they have assaulted, but other victims, so that even they can know about their ordeal,” Sharma said. Apart from that, they should be made to spend an hour or two with the elderly people. Above all, the mindset of the people also need to be changed, she said. PTI