Nominated Rajya Sabha member Sudha Murty on Friday (March 13, 2026) called for making counsellors mandatory in schools to help children who faced sexual offences.
Follow the Parliament Budget session highlights from March 13, 2026
Participating in a discussion on private member bill 'The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Amendment) Bill, 2024' moved by Fauzia Khan (NCP-SCP) on February 7, 2025, Ms. Murty also suggested cancellation of registration for schools which do not have such counsellors.
The POCSO Act is gender-neutral by design
She said survivors of childhood sexual offences want assurance that "it is not your fault...and that assurance can be given by mother at home, or a teacher or a counsellor." Stressing on the role of a counsellor, Murty who supported the bill, said it is someone "who will have the confidence of the child, who will address the issue because when such things happen, the child should have a friend or someone who can listen to the child and tell the child it is not your fault".
