Mandya: Greater emphasis should be placed on preventing crimes and building legal awareness among children rather than acting only after offences are committed, district SP VJ Shobharani said Wednesday.She spoke after inaugurating a training workshop for teachers and lecturers in govt schools and colleges on child marriage, the Pocso Act, and procedures for lodging police complaints. Shobharani stressed educating students early about sexual harassment, bad touch, child marriage and cybercrime.Children should be encouraged to share concerns with parents and teachers without fear, she said.She cautioned students against accepting social media requests from strangers, sharing personal information and interacting with unknown persons online. Shobharani said child marriage adversely affects children’s education, health and future, and called for sustained awareness among students and parents about its legal consequences and protection mechanisms.Mandya University vice-chancellor K Shivachittappa said education must go beyond academics and instil values, discipline, ethics and social responsibility.
