MALAPPURAM: Low conviction rate in POCSO (The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act) cases remains a cause of concern. According to official data, accused persons face action after proper trial only in less than 18 per cent of the total cases.
The grim scenario, according to officers concerned, prevails mainly due to lapses committed by the police in filing charge sheet, delay by the hospitals in giving forensic report and inadequacy of court to timely dispose of the case.
Besides, witnesses turn hostile in some of the cases as inordinate delay in proceedings allows the accused to easily influence them.
“Delay in trial forces parents either settle the cases outside the court or withdraw it,” District Child Protection Unit (DCPU) officer Geethanjali told Express.
Unfortunately, this happens at a time when cases of child sexual abuse are showing an upward trend in the district.
The district recorded a total of 193 child sexual abuse cases in 2017-2018 while the number of cases stood at 183 in 2016-2017. As many as 147 cases were reported in the district in 2015-2016. From April 2018 to September 2018, a total of 90 cases were registered in the district.