The 164 CrPC Statement
Things to Know When Pursuing Justice for Child Victims of Sexual Offences
The 164 CrPC Statement
The 164 CrPC statement is a voluntary statement to be given by the child in front of a Metropolitan Magistrate.
Time Taken for the Procedure:
Anywhere between 2 to 5 hours not counting the travel and waiting period.
At What Stage Does 164 CrPC Statement Take Place?
164 CrPC Statement may be taken anywhere from a few weeks after the recording of the initial complaint to a month or two months.
Is it Mandatory?
164 CrPC is a voluntary statement and in some cases, it is not taken at all.
However, considering the child may forget or mis-remember details of the case, it is considered good practice to get a complaint recorded in front of a magistrate.
In most of the cases registered under POCSO the police insist on taking a 164 CrPC statement of the child.
Things You Must Take With You
Carry food & water for the child
Carrying coloring books, children’s books, some toys, video games helps in case the child is made to wait and grows restless.
If you are a parent, carry a valid identification proof.
If you are a support person, carry the CWC order appointing you as support person along with valid identification proof.
Things You Need To Keep in Mind
The Police Accompanying the Child Must Not Be in Uniform.
The Police Should Pick the Child Up and Drop the Child back in a Private Vehicle as far as possible
How to Speak to the Child about the 164 CrPc Statement
Tell the child that they will be taken to court.
Describe the court. You may use movies and other pictorial depictions as reference points.
Tell them that there will be a judge and a typist in the room and no one else. The judge may ask questions while the typist will be taking notes.
Tell them that if the judge allows, you and/or any trusted adult whom the child knows off will be present. But tell the child that this person will not be allowed to speak or gesticulate once the statement starts being taken.
Tell that child to specifically mention to the judge that they want you to be present in the room if that is what they want.
Mention to the child that they have to tell the judge in detail about the incident. In the same way that they told the police.
Tell them that if they remember any other detail about the incident, they may mention it to the judge.
Tell the child that if they feel tired or hungry or thirsty or want to use the bathroom during the statement, they have the right to ask for and take a break.
Tell the child if the presence of the trusted adult etc is making them uncomfortable they can ask them to leave the room.
If the child questions as to why they have to attend the court or re-record the statement, explain to them that the court plays a key role in punishing the convict and that their statement is an important part of the process. Listen to what the child has to say and respond positively and appropriately.
After the 164 CrPC statement
Ensure the statement is read back to the child & trusted adult for confirmation.
Ensure that the child is taken to the park or somewhere where they can unwind, relax and take their mind away from the case.
Inform the child that this will not be the only time they will be required to repeat their statement. In the coming years, they will be required to repeat the statement at least 3 more times if not more. And that doing so, will help the court punish the accused.
Allow the child to ventilate and process the experience. Listen patiently and respond gently & appropriately.
Arrange a session with a professional counselor if necessary.
