Violence against women often begins long before adolescence. Whether it is sex-selective practices, neglect of girl infants, lower rates of immunisation and nutrition, restricted mobility and heavier domestic workloads, all these factors create a life shaped by disadvantage and threat.
The International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women Is Celebrated on November 25. The UN established the day to raise awareness about violence against women and girls, highlight prevention efforts, advocate policy, social and cultural change. For young girls, this needs to begin with early exposure that also includes sexual harassment at school or in the community, online bullying, sexualised messaging, and child marriage. India has a package of laws and government services designed to prevent these harms and to help survivors get protection, justice and support.
Laws That Protect Girls And Women From Childhood
1. The PC&PNDT Act (1994)
The Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT) Act prohibits sex determination and regulates diagnostic techniques to stop sex-selective abortion and female foeticide. It creates offences, registration and inspection rules for clinics and penalties for those who perform or facilitate illegal sex-selection. This law is the primary legal tool against the practices that produce skewed sex ratios and discriminate against girls before birth.
2. POCSO Act (2012)
The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act criminalises penetrative and non-penetrative sexual assault, sexual harassment and child pornography, and requires child-friendly investigation and trial procedures. POCSO mandates reporting, establishes Special Courts and sets strict penalties to ensure speedy, sensitive redress when sexual offences are committed against anyone under 18.
3. Prohibition of Child Marriage Act (2006)
This Act makes child marriages voidable and provides relief and protection to victims, including maintenance and custody provisions for children born of child marriages. It criminalises those who solemnise, promote or abet child marriage and enables district authorities to prevent and intervene in such marriages.
4. IPC and Criminal Law Amendments
The Indian Penal Code (IPC), strengthened by the Criminal Law (Amendment) Act 2013, contains provisions that penalise rape, sexual assault, voyeurism, stalking and other offences against women. These amendments have increased punishments and improved investigative mechanisms for sexual violence.
5. PWDV Act (2005)
The Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act (PWDV Act) provides civil remedies. These include protection orders, residence orders, monetary relief and counselling for women of all ages who suffer from physical, emotional, sexual or economic abuse within the domestic sphere. It sets duties for Protection Officers, police and service providers to act in survivors’ interest.
6. IT Act & National Cyber Crime
Online sexualised messaging, bullying and circulation of private images are addressed by the Information Technology Act and rules. The government’s National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (cybercrime.gov.in) accepts complaints related to women and children and enables reporting of online abuse and exploitation.
Practical Steps To Access Protection And Support
When a girl or woman faces any of the harms above, these steps can help them use the law and services.
• If a child is in immediate danger, call Childline 1098 (24×7), the national emergency helpline for children. Childline will coordinate with local authorities and NGOs to rescue and rehabilitate the child.
• For adult emergencies or violent incidents, use the local emergency number (112) or approach the nearest police station. Where available, state women’s helplines or one-stop centres offer immediate shelter, medical attention and counselling. One-Stop Centres are set up under the central scheme to provide integrated services.
• Sexual offences against children must be reported and investigated under POCSO. The police are legally obliged to register such cases and the law creates Special Courts for trial. If police refuse an FIR, the complaint can be taken to the Magistrate or to agencies such as the National Commission for Women (NCW).
• Adult survivors can file an FIR for offences under the IPC (rape, sexual assault, and stalking) and can seek protection orders under the PWDV Act. The NCW and state women’s commissions also accept complaints and can pursue action. The NCW offers an online complaint portal and a helpline for assistance.
• After sexual assault or suspected sexual abuse, seek immediate medical attention at a hospital that conducts medico-legal examinations. Timely medical care preserves evidence and is critical both for health and for any future prosecution under POCSO or IPC.
• If you cannot afford a lawyer, NALSA (National Legal Services Authority) and its state or district bodies provide free legal aid, help with documentation, and representation in court. NALSA runs helplines and local Legal Services Institutions. Use the NALSA portal or visit the nearest legal services office.
• For online harassment, blackmail, non-consensual sharing of images or sexualised messages, use the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal to file a complaint. There is a specific channel for women and children. Preserve screenshots and metadata, but avoid sharing them widely. Law enforcement will use them as evidence.
• One-Stop Centres (Sakhi) provide immediate shelter, counselling, legal aid and police liaison. State social-welfare departments and NGOs run longer-term shelters and rehabilitation programs. Schemes such as Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao and ICDS or poshan initiatives address prevention, nutrition and education at a policy level.
Violence against girls is often invisible because it begins inside families and classrooms. The legal framework in India gives survivors concrete routes to safety, medical care, legal protection and justice. But laws alone are not enough. Social change, awareness, and easy access to services are essential.