Madras High Court Proposes SOP for Children Traumatized by Witnessing Violent Crimes

The Madras High Court is considering the implementation of a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to support children traumatized by witnessing violent crimes.

This initiative emerged during the hearing of a case where an eight-year-old girl witnessed her uncle brutally murder her mother.

The bench highlighted the absence of psychological support for such children, noting that while the POCSO Act provides remedies for child sexual abuse victims, there are no similar provisions for children affected by other violent crimes. 

The government informed the court that it is in the process of drafting and ensuring an SOP, and the court suggested that such children may be classified as in need of care and protection under the Juvenile Justice Act.