In recent years, conversations about consent and safety have become stronger and more open among Gen Z. They speak confidently about gaslighting, grooming, coercion and boundaries, often with an understanding that earlier generations took longer to reach. But knowing the words is not the same as knowing what to do. Many young people can clearly describe when something feels wrong, yet hesitate to use the laws that could protect them. They may not know where to start, or they may worry about the consequences of speaking up.
This is where the next step lies: moving from talking about harm to using the protections that already exist. Two important laws in India are the Prevention of Sexual Harassment at Workplace Act, 2013 (POSH), and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 (POCSO).
POSH was created after years of effort to make workplaces safe and respectful. It clearly explains what counts as sexual harassment, sets out how to report it, and requires every workplace of a certain size to have an Internal Committee to handle such cases. Many people think POSH applies only to offices, but it also covers schools, colleges, hospitals, NGOs, factories, construction sites and even work-from-home situations. In one case, the Calcutta High Court confirmed that schoolgirls could seek protection under POSH, showing that its purpose is to protect all learning and working spaces.
POCSO, passed a year earlier, protects anyone under 18 from abuse or exploitation. It covers both physical and non-physical harm, including online grooming. It keeps the survivor’s identity private, gives weight to their testimony, and sets strong punishments for offenders. For younger Gen Z, knowing about POCSO can give them the confidence to speak up. For older members who teach, mentor or supervise, knowing the law is part of their responsibility.
Consent is not just about dating or relationships. It applies to everyday situations whether a joke feels okay, whether a touch is welcome, whether communication stops when someone asks. A hand that lingers on the shoulder, repeated comments about someone’s looks, or messages sent late at night after being asked to stop all cross boundaries. Consent is a clear, informed and voluntary “yes.” Anything less is a violation. And it is important for Gen Z to remember that in these matters, impact matters more than intent. Even if the person meant no harm, what counts is how their actions were experienced by the other person.
At Sakshi, we believe that knowing your rights is not enough, you must also know how to use them. That is why we started the Rakshin Project, which works with National Service Scheme students all over India to build awareness of POSH and POCSO. These students are part of Gen Z themselves. We train them not only to understand the law, but also to use it in real life, whether to protect themselves or to help others. By building this knowledge into a generation already leading conversations about consent online, we hope to close the gap between knowing your rights and acting on them.
For Gen Z, boundaries exist both in person and online. A phone can be a workplace, a classroom and a social space all at once. Violations can happen in any of these spaces. A 2024 study by Snap, involving 6,000 people aged 13 to 24, found that 23 percent had been victims of sextortion, often after being pressured to share intimate images. More than half had faced risky situations like grooming, fake profiles or hacking. Over a third had been asked for sexual images, and many had received them. For minors, these acts can be reported under POCSO.
For adults, harassment linked to work can fall under POSH, and sharing intimate content without consent is punishable under the IT Act.
The problem is that many do not use them. Legal processes can seem slow and uncomfortable. POSH requires a written complaint and hearings. POCSO involves police reports and court appearances. These steps can feel overwhelming, especially for those used to dealing with
problems by blocking someone online or warning friends quietly.
This hesitation is made worse by barriers like shame, stigma, denial, and fear of causing more harm. These feelings are real, but they keep survivors silent and protect those who cause harm. Until we address these barriers, even the strongest laws will be underused, and the safety Gen Z deserves will remain out of reach.
