The Supreme Court has struck the right chord by expressing concern over the misuse of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act while hearing a writ petition seeking compulsory sex education in schools and sensitising children about anti-rape laws. A Bench comprising Justices B.V. Nagarathna and R. Mahadevan has issued notices to the Centre and the states, opening a much-needed debate on how to protect children without criminalising youthful indiscretions or weaponising the law. Nobody can deny that POCSO was enacted to meet a pressing need. Crimes against children, especially in schools, homes and institutions, had been rising alarmingly. The law was designed to be a strong deterrent. It simplified procedures,........

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