Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO)

PREAMBLE

The School is committed to maintaining an ethical, transparent, safe and respectful environment for all staff, students, employees, parents and visitors. Discrimination, harassment and sexual harassment of any kind are strictly prohibited, with zero tolerance for such misconduct. The School is dedicated to preventing abusive behaviour, ensuring fair and harmonious relations, and providing appropriate procedures for addressing complaints in accordance with applicable laws and this policy. False or malicious complaints and information will also be treated as violations and dealt with as prescribed under the policy.

APPLICABILITY 

This policy will extend to all staff members, employees and students of the School including those employed on a contractual basis. The policy also extends to parents and visitors but are subjected to sexual harassment at the premises of the School as defined hereinafter. 

SCOPE 

The scope of this policy is restricted to the following for all staff members, employees, and students:

 (i)Premises of the School; 

(ii) Any mode of transport provided by the School, for undertaking a journey to and from the aforementioned locations; and 

(iii) Any external location visited by the staff members, employees or students due to or during the course of any official work. 

 PROCEDURE FOR DEALING WITH COMPLAINTS

Any staff member, employee, student or visitor who experiences sexual harassment may file a complaint with any Committee member or email the Vice Principal at vp.at@dsehyd.com. The complaint should generally be filed within 30 days and include a clear account of the incident, supporting documents and witnesses, if any. The Committee may also consider anonymous complaints. Where the aggrieved person is unable to file a complaint, an authorized person or legal heir may do so within three months. The Committee shall review each complaint, initiate appropriate action, and may dismiss complaints that do not constitute sexual harassment or lack sufficient basis.

PROCESS OF ENQUIRY

Upon receiving a complaint, the Committee shall provide the Accused Person with a copy of the complaint and allow them up to 30 days to submit a written defence, which shall also be shared with the Complainant. Failure to respond without valid justification may result in the defence being disregarded. The Committee shall conduct confidential hearings in the presence of both parties, ensure at least 24 hours’ notice for unavoidable absence, and endeavour to complete the proceedings within four months. Evidence and testimonies shall be examined fairly, with protection against threats, intimidation or retaliation. Both parties shall be given a fair opportunity to present and cross-examine evidence. The Committee shall make a reasoned decision based on the evidence, communicate it to both parties, take appropriate interim measures where necessary, and endeavour to issue the final decision promptly.

POCSO Committee Headed by:
Ms. Shashikala – Academic Director, Chairperson of the Committee

Sl.No. Name Designation
1
Ms. B Shashikala
Chairperson
2
Ms. Bharti Padullaparti
Committee Head
3
Ms. Anusuya Tenjarla
Member
4
Ms. Urvashi Tripathi
Special Educator
5
Ms. N.Sneha Poojitha
Counsellor & Wellness Educator
6
Ms. Shilpa Bhangay
Member
7
Ms. Renuka Koyalkar
Member
8
Mr. D.Vijender
Member
9
Mr. A.Srinivas
Member
10
Sampath Pranav Palepu
Student Member
11
Dhwani Sarda
Student Member
12
G Aruna
Support Staff