The Centre has urged the States and Union Territories to take necessary steps for including male child victims of sexual abuse in the Victim Compensation Fund.
Women and Child Development Minister Maneka Gandhi in a letter has requested that compensation including interim compensation may be given to such victims on time. She said, male child who is the most neglected victim of child sexual abuse is being ignored for award of compensation and needs to be included.
The Minister also highlighted that the POCSO Act is gender neutral and safeguards the interest of not only the girl child but also the male child.
Mrs Gandhi in her letter said that as per the NCPCR data, though 31 State Governments have notified their Victim Compensation Scheme, the disbursements of compensation has not been uniform or satisfactory.
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