Posters on Mumbai Metro train warn offenders of POCSO penalties in child safety campaign

Arpan, a non-governmental organisation known worldwide for its work to end child sexual abuse, has organised "Child Safety Week 2026". This is the eighth year of its annual awareness campaign. This time the organisation is running it with the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) and Maha Mumbai Metro Operation Corporation Limited (MMMOCL).

The campaign's main message is "Ruk Jao Warna POCSO Pakad Lega" (Stop, or POCSO will catch you). It is a clear and stern warning to those who commit sexual offences against children. Any sexual offence against a child is a serious crime in the eyes of the law, and offenders can face severe punishment under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.

The campaign aims to tell the public in simple language which acts amount to child sexual abuse and which of them are punishable under the POCSO Act. It also seeks to make people more alert and to increase the reporting of such incidents.

As part of the partnership, a Metro train running on Mumbai Metro Lines 2A and 7 was flagged off. Posters have been put up in all six coaches of the train. They describe six acts punishable under the POCSO Act: inappropriate touching, leering, showing obscene material, making inappropriate photos or videos, asking for them, and downloading, saving or sharing them.

The event was inaugurated in the presence of MMMOCL Managing Director Kanhuraj Bagate (IAS) and Pooja Taparia, founder and CEO of Arpan. The guests then travelled between Gundavali and Aarey stations and viewed the posters in the coaches.

Bagate said awareness at home, in schools and in public transport is essential for children's safety. He said the administration is committed to creating a safe environment for children who travel by public transport. He said the campaign gives offenders a direct warning: "Stop, or the law will catch you." He expressed confidence that every citizen would understand the POCSO Act and take the initiative to stop abuse.

According to the National Crime Records Bureau's "Crime in India 2024" report, 9,432 cases were registered under the POCSO Act in Maharashtra in 2024, a rise of 9.2 per cent from 8,639 cases in 2023. Mumbai alone registered 1,416 cases, of which 660 were of an extremely serious nature.

Actor Vidya Balan, Arpan's goodwill ambassador, said acts that are often not considered serious or out of line are in fact crimes punishable under the POCSO Act. She said every citizen should know these legal consequences. Awareness is the first step of responsibility, she said, so that no offender escapes punishment.

Taparia said knowledge of the exact offences covered by the POCSO Act is still limited. She said this year's campaign is the organisation's effort to fill that gap by putting the punishable acts plainly before the public, and to instil fear of the law in offenders. She thanked Vidya Balan, MMRDA and MMMOCL for taking the message to a public space, and appealed for child protection to be made a shared responsibility.

Through the campaign, Arpan wants to change the silence, hesitation and habit of ignoring inappropriate behaviour around child sexual abuse. The campaign appeals to parents, teachers and society as a whole to understand the seriousness of such acts and to create a safe environment for every child.