Mumbai: The number of cases registered under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act has increased from 891 in 2015-16 to 1,062 in 2017-18, an increase of 19%, revealed a recent report published by a non-governmental organisation (NGO). The cases of penetrative sexual assault, sexual assault and sexual harassment against male and female children below 18 years of age are included in the POCSO Act.
After formulation of the Act in 2012, the city has seen a year-on-year increase in the number of POCSO cases registered. The spurt is especially due to children confiding in their parents after receiving ground-level training from police under the “Police Didi” initiative. Data gathered by the NGO, Praja Foundation, showed an increase in child sexual abuse cases under the POCSO Act. With 891 cases recorded in 2015-16, the succeeding year saw a rise in the number with 928 cases recorded. However, the year 2017-2018 saw the highest number of child sexual abuse with 1,062 cases.
It was observed that in all three years, female victims were far greater in number than male victims. “Even the slightest rise in this number is alarming as it shows the city is becoming unsafe for children. It is necessary to create awareness with all stakeholders, i.e. children, families, schools and colleges,” said Nitai Mehta, founder of Praja Foundation.
In case of complaints of sexual harassment of minor boys or girls, an investigation is immediately initiated, said Manjunath Singe, Mumbai Police spokesperson. “Our initiative of spreading public awareness has also been well received by the children, where they were taught about ‘good touch, bad touch’ in their schools, homes and public places,” Singe said. The awareness has averted many incidents, while due to alertness, more crimes are reported, added Singe.
Among the reasons given for such a rise, a senior police official attributed it to the increased social awareness on the issue. “While 75 per cent of the cases are genuine in which a minor was sexually abused, in the remaining 25 per cent, the cases are bad results of disputed love relationships involving children between 16 and 18 gone wrong, especially in instances where the girl’s parents are not in favour of the matter,” said the police official on request of confidentiality. The officer stated, the law, which is gender neutral, has also expanded the definition of sexual abuse to include more forms of abuse.
