The Madras High Court has sought a report from the Tamil Nadu government on whether all schools have established sexual abuse advisory panels. The directive comes amid rising concerns over student safety and sexual harassment cases in educational institutions. The court emphasized the mandatory formation of Internal Complaints Committees (ICCs) as per legal requirements. The Tamil Nadu government has been given a deadline to submit compliance details on school safety measures.
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Do All Tamil Nadu Schools Have Sexual Abuse Advisory Panels? Madras HC Seeks Government Report
Chennai: In a major development concerning student safety, the Madras High Court has directed the Tamil Nadu government to submit a detailed report on whether all schools in the state have established sexual abuse advisory panels. The court’s intervention follows increasing concerns over child safety, sexual harassment cases, and the implementation of legal mandates in educational institutions.
Madras HC Raises Concerns Over School Safety
The directive was issued while hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking strict enforcement of sexual abuse prevention mechanisms in Tamil Nadu’s schools. The petitioner highlighted that many schools do not have the mandatory Internal Complaints Committees (ICCs) despite legal requirements under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and other child protection laws.
A division bench of the Madras High Court expressed serious concerns over the lack of compliance, stating:
“Ensuring a safe environment for students is not optional. The government must clarify whether every school has a functioning advisory panel for handling sexual abuse cases.“
The Tamil Nadu government has been directed to submit a compliance report detailing:
✔ The number of schools with sexual abuse advisory panels
✔ Steps taken to enforce the formation of Internal Complaints Committees (ICCs)
✔ Measures to ensure strict implementation of child protection laws
✔ Plans to monitor and take action against non-compliant schools
What Are Sexual Abuse Advisory Panels in Schools?
Under Indian laws like the POCSO Act, the CBSE guidelines, and Tamil Nadu’s state policies, schools are required to set up sexual abuse advisory panels or Internal Complaints Committees (ICCs) to:
✅ Prevent and address cases of sexual harassment
✅ Provide awareness programs for students and staff
✅ Offer psychological and legal support to victims
✅ Ensure a complaint redressal mechanism for child safety
These committees typically include:
🔹 A school principal or senior faculty member
🔹 A female staff member (mandatory for gender balance)
🔹 A child rights or social worker representative
🔹 A legal expert or police liaison officer (if necessary)
Are Tamil Nadu Schools Compliant?
Despite these legal requirements, activists and child protection organizations claim that many private and government schools in Tamil Nadu have failed to set up such advisory panels.
A recent survey by child welfare groups found that:
❌ Over 40% of private schools in Tamil Nadu lack proper ICCs
❌ Government school students often have no clear mechanism to report abuse
❌ Many teachers are unaware of legal obligations regarding child protection
Legal expert S. Chandrasekaran commented:
“The absence of advisory panels in schools is a serious violation of child rights. Schools must be held accountable for failing to comply with the law.“
Tamil Nadu Government’s Response
Following the Madras High Court’s intervention, the Tamil Nadu government assured that it would:
✔ Conduct a statewide audit of schools to check compliance
✔ Issue strict directives to schools that have not set up advisory panels
✔ Strengthen awareness programs for students, teachers, and parents
✔ Ensure swift action against schools violating child safety norms
A senior Tamil Nadu Education Department official stated:
“We take student safety seriously. Any school found non-compliant will face strict action. Our report to the Madras High Court will include clear measures to ensure full compliance.“
Parents and Activists Demand Stronger Implementation
Parents, activists, and legal experts have welcomed the Madras HC’s intervention, urging the Tamil Nadu government to act swiftly. Many believe that stringent monitoring and regular audits should be conducted to ensure long-term compliance.
📢 @ChildRightsOrg – “Schools must prioritize student safety! The govt must ensure mandatory advisory panels in every institution. #ProtectOurChildren”
📢 @LegalWatchIndia – “Why are schools ignoring safety laws? Every school must have an Internal Complaints Committee for student protection. #ChildSafety”
📢 @TNParentsForum – “A school without a sexual abuse advisory panel is unsafe! Parents must demand accountability. #StudentSafetyFirst”
What Happens Next?
The Madras High Court has set a deadline for the Tamil Nadu government to submit its report on school compliance. Based on the findings, the court could issue further orders to ensure strict enforcement of sexual abuse prevention mechanisms across all schools.
Education and child rights experts believe this case could set a nationwide precedent, pushing other states to enforce stricter child protection laws in schools.
Conclusion
The Madras High Court’s intervention on sexual abuse advisory panels in Tamil Nadu schools is a significant step toward ensuring student safety. With the Tamil Nadu government now under scrutiny, the next few weeks will be crucial in determining whether all schools comply with mandatory child protection laws.
If the government fails to act, stricter judicial and legal actions could follow. Meanwhile, parents, activists, and educators continue to demand urgent action, emphasizing that student safety should never be compromised.
