THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Raising serious questions about the deterrence value of the much-hyped Prevention of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, it has emerged the capital tops the state in the number of crimes against minors.
More disturbingly, there has been an alarming 52 per cent increase in child abuse cases registered in the state during the past four years. The POCSO Act that came into effect in November 2012 was aimed to protect children from sexual offences and to provide a child-friendly system for the trial of the offences.
According to the statistics released by the state Child Rights Commission, the capital district pipped Malappuram to earn the dubious distinction of having the highest number of cases (256) registered under POCSO Act during the period starting January to December, 2016.
The year saw a total of 2,093 cases, which was over twice as many as the number of cases registered three years ago. With 241 cases, Malappuram was relegated to the second position after topping the chart for three consecutive years. Ernakulam with 217 cases has been ranked number 3.
The statistics released by the Commission showed a glaring discrepancy between the number of POCSO cases recorded by the Child Welfare Committees (CWCs) and the figures released by the police.
“We have urged the police to report all POCSO-related cases promptly to the Child Welfare Committees (CWCs). The police should also ensure that those victims needing care and protection are immediately produced before the CWCs,” Commission chairperson Shobha Koshy said.
The statistics also showed that only 14.5 per cent of the POCSO cases were settled by the court. Appallingly, the conviction rate was a measly 12 per cent. Around two per cent of them were women and most of the accused belonged to the 19- 40 age group. Nearly half of the child victims belonged to the 15-18 age group.
Around 36 per cent were in the 10. -14 age group, the statistics showed. The Commission pointed out that 39 per cent of the offences occurred in the victims’ own homes., while a 19 pc crimes were committed in public places. The POCSO Act carries a minimum sentence of three years for sexual assault.
