Child rape cases have increased by 96% from 2016 to 2022, according to a study by child rights NGO CRY.
The surge is attributed to improved public awareness, which has led to a higher number of reported cases of sexual offenses against children, according to Subhendu Bhattacharjee, director of research and knowledge exchange at CRY.
Increased accessibility through online portals and dedicated helplines has boosted the reporting of child rape incidents in India.
The cases registered under Indian Penal Code registration has seen a 96.8% increase from 2016 to 2022, with a 6.9% increase in cases between 2021 and 2022. This trend is attributed to recent legal reforms and policy changes aimed at strengthening laws against sexual offenses targeting children. In 2022 alone, 38,911 cases of child rape and penetrative assaults were reported, a significant increase from 36,381 cases in 2021. The positive trend in reporting is attributed to the trust in reporting mechanisms and the increased accessibility of online portals and specialized agencies.
Due to rose reporting, rape crimes rose by 96% between 2016 and 2022: CRY study
Child rights NGO CRY examined NCRB data and found that incidents of child rape, which include all types of penetrative attacks, increased by 96% between 2016 and 2022. The director of research and knowledge sharing at Child Rights and You (CRY), Subhendu Bhattacharjee, discussed the possible causes of this increase and stated that more incidents of sexual assaults against children are being reported as a result of increased public awareness. According to him, victims and their families have been more inclined to come forward and report such crimes as a result of improved accessibility through online portals, specialized organizations, and dedicated helplines, as well as increased trust in reporting systems.
However, the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) releases crime statistics every year, providing detailed information about crimes registered under the IPC and special legislation like the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.
Before 2016, child rape incidents were classified under the special legislation POCSO (sections 4 and 6 of POCSO along with section 376 of the IPC), totaling 19,765 incidents.
However, since 2017, the category of rape (under section 376 of the IPC) was separately recorded, along with cases under sections 4 and 6 of the POCSO Act, all falling under Special Legislation. Encouraging open conversations about child sexual abuse empowers victims to speak up and report abuse without fear of societal judgment and stigma. The ongoing need for sustained efforts in child protection and welfare is crucial, with a multi-faceted strategy to effectively tackle crimes against children.
96% of Indian rapes registered by folks who know the victims: NCRB Data
According to data from the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), up to 65,025 rape crimes were recorded in India in 2021, and in 96.8% of those cases, the offender was well-known to the victims. With 6,337 rape cases, Rajasthan had the highest number, followed by Madhya Pradesh (2,947) and Uttar Pradesh (2,845).
Additionally, The NCRB report revealed that Rajasthan reported the highest number of rape cases in 2021, with 95% of victims knowing the accused. Madhya Pradesh had the second highest number at 3,515, with 91% of victims knowing the offender. In five states, Maharashtra, Mizoram, Manipur, Nagaland, and Sikkim, 100% of victims knew their rapists from before. In six other states, Punjab, Chhattisgarh, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, and Telangana, 99% of women knew their offenders. The crime rate in India has increased by over 19% compared to 2020. Rajasthan ranks second in overall crime against women but continues to be ahead in rape cases. In 2021, a total of 4,28,278 cases of crime against women were registered across the country, with Uttar Pradesh leading with 56,083 cases.
The POCSO Act’s consequences and factors that contribute to child sexual abuse in India
The POCSO Act of 2012 is a crucial piece of legislation in India, aimed at protecting children from the worldwide phenomenon of child sexual abuse. The Act, which covers crimes such as sexual assault, harassment, and pornography, has been implemented to address the issue. However, the extent to which the Act has improved child protection remains a significant concern. The effectiveness of the POCSO Act in enhancing children’s protection from sexual abuse is influenced by factors such as quality of life, and social, economic, and demographic determinants, which contribute to the overall issue.
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