From Silence to Strength: Creating Safer Spaces with POSH and POCSO Training

“It was just a joke,” he said loudly across the office floor.

Everyone laughed except her.

She offered a faint smile and went back to her desk, heart sinking. It wasn’t the first time, and she feared it wouldn’t be the last.

Her discomfort was invisible to most, but it weighed heavily on her shoulders. There was no Internal Complaints Committee she could turn to, no awareness sessions, and no HR policies that supported her. She thought maybe it was normal- perhaps she was overreacting.

But was she?

Shockingly, there are still environments and surroundings where awareness, accountability, and boundaries regarding sexual harassment are lacking. Not every office, workplace, or school classroom possesses the necessary knowledge or understanding to recognize and address this issue, making it difficult to navigate the fine line between respecting rights and causing discomfort. Often, people either unknowingly or out of ignorance mistake this line for normal and become victims of harassment at work or school.

This is not an isolated incident. Every day, in some school, office, or institution, someone is made to feel unsafe, unheard, or invalidated. What’s worse? Many don’t even realize that what they’re experiencing is harassment- or that they have a right to speak up.

And this is where POSH and POCSO step in as two critical laws designed to protect individuals in workplaces and children in schools and homes.

Understanding POSH - Prevention of Sexual Harassment at Workplace

POSH, or Prevention of Sexual Harassment, explains workplace safety. Such scenarios aren’t uncommon, making us think safety should not be a mere policy but a stringent practice. As the owner of Panchama, Pavitra Somaiya, rightly says, “Such practices that help us prevent and fight harassment can only be gained through right knowledge, support and understanding”.

POSH is divided into seven modules, which start with introducing the act and proceed to international norms of the act. Module 1 details the POSH 2013 Act by providing an introduction to its background, definition, and the different types of harassment. Module 2 discusses the roles and responsibilities of various departments under the POSH Act, along with a briefing on the ICC, specifically the Internal Complaints Committee. While Module 3 discusses complaint redressal mechanisms and timelines, as well as inquiry processes, the following module focuses on preventive measures and sensitization in terms of gender sensitivity, respect, and inclusion. Module 5 covers types of sexual harassment, quid pro quo, and understanding a hostile work environment. Modules 6 and 7 focus on POSH in remote and hybrid workplaces, as well as international POSH practices in India, the USA, and the UK.

The POSH Act of 2013 ensures that workplaces are free from sexual harassment and that redressal mechanisms are in place to protect individuals. However, implementing POSH isn’t just about following the rules - it’s about creating a culture of respect and inclusion.

Understanding POCSO - Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act

Introduced in 2012, the POCSO Act protects children against offences such as sexual assault, harassment, and pornography, ensuring the child's best interest is upheld during the judicial process. It is a vital component that every school should take seriously.

POSCO is divided into four detailed modules that begin with offering a basic understanding of the act, followed by the types of offences and a critical definition of child and consent. Next, the participant is taught about the role of stakeholders, schools, NGOs, and institutional child protection policies. After this comes handling disclosure, trauma, and training on psychological first aid and referrals. The last module discusses child safety education and prevention, safe/unsafe touch education, and how to create a child-safe environment within the institute.

Why Train the Trainer?

But understanding the law isn’t enough. We must learn how to apply it, teach it, and embed it into the fabric of our institutions. That’s where Panchama’s “Train the Trainer” module becomes a game-changer.

This comprehensive program is equipped with modules that inform, educate, and empower individuals, institutions, HR professionals, school heads, and trainers alike on how to navigate and create a safe environment in the office or school. The exclusive material is divided into concrete yet easy-to-understand modules for both POSH and POSCO, to disseminate the proper knowledge and support to anyone willing. It ensures you don't just know the law- you become equipped to teach, train, and transform spaces into safer environments for all.

Why this matters more than ever

Workplaces are growing. Schools are expanding. But without awareness and proper systems, institutions unknowingly nurture cultures of silence. From the gig economy to hybrid offices, from digital classrooms to private schools- boundaries are blurred, and risks are higher than ever.

You don’t have to be a lawyer to understand the law. You don’t have to be a therapist to support a child in distress. But you do need the proper training to make a difference.

That’s exactly what the POSH & POCSO Train the Trainer course offers.

Let’s not wait for another incident to act. Let’s build safer schools, workplaces, and communities- together.

Take the First Step: Join the Movement with Panchama.