Crimes against children surge in Assam, Rajasthan, and Kerala, Pg7

Key Highlights:

• In 2023, Assam, Rajasthan, and Kerala recorded the sharpest rise in crimes against children, according to NCRB data.
• Assam saw a near 100% surge, from 5,100 (2018-2022) to over 10,000 cases in 2023, driven by a crackdown on child marriage.
• Kerala experienced a 106% increase, from 2,800 (2018-2022) to over 5,900 cases in 2023, with a surge in POCSO cases.
• Rajasthan reported a 70% rise, from 6,200 (2018-2022) to over 10,500 cases in 2023, due to re-categorization of offences and increased kidnapping/abduction.

Detailed Insights:

• The national increase in crimes against children was 25%, lower than the surge in Assam, Rajasthan, and Kerala.
• In Assam, cases under the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006 rose from 150 annually (2020-2022) to 5,267 in 2023, comprising 52% of child crime cases.
• In Rajasthan, a shift to categorizing offences under specific POCSO provisions led to a rise in cases under Sections 4 and 6 of the POCSO Act read with Section 376 of the IPC.
• Rajasthan also saw a spike in kidnapping and abduction cases, accounting for over 54% of total crimes against children in 2023.
• In Kerala, the surge in POCSO cases is linked to more accurate classification of offences and an increase in reported cases.
• Increased reporting may contribute to the rise in recorded cases, rather than solely indicating a genuine increase in crimes against children.

Key Concepts Involved:

• POCSO Act, 2012: A law to protect children from sexual offences and ensure their safety, security, and dignity.
• Child Marriage: Marriage where one or both parties are under the age of 18, prohibited by law in India.
• NCRB (National Crime Records Bureau): Indian government agency responsible for collecting and analyzing crime data.