The key objective of Section 19 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 is:

Section 19 imposes a duty to report, makes the police report to the Child Welfare Committee and the Special Court within twenty-four hours, provides for the child's care and protection, and under section 19(7) frees anyone who gives information "in good faith" from civil or criminal liability. Reporting is a duty, not a choice, and false reports are dealt with separately under section 22.