KOLLAM : Cases of sexual abuse of children remained above the 4,500-mark in the state for yet another year, highlighting the need for better efficacy of preventive laws and measures.
At 4,641, the number of cases registered across the state under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 (Pocso Act) in 2023 was slightly higher than the 4,582 cases registered in 2022, as per the data sourced from the State Crime Records Bureau.
Among districts, capital Thiruvananthapuram reported the most number of Pocso cases (601), followed by Malappuram (507) and Ernakulam (484) in 2023.
Pathanamthitta district reported the least number of cases (177). The overall tally included 10 cases registered by the railway police.
Kanal, an NGO working for children’s welfare in Kerala, highlighted another worrying fact. According to a study it conducted in collaboration with the Kerala government in 2023, titled ‘Project X’, revealed that 28.3% of school students in the state were unaware of the existence of the Pocso Act, while 48.09% were unaware that the legal age of consent is 18 years.
Child rights activists emphasised that children aged between 7 and 12 were most vulnerable to sexual abuse.
“Abusers prey on children from this age group assuming that sexual intercourse with them won’t lead to pregnancy. Moreover, children of the age group are easier to scare, intimidate and manipulate, and also less likely to fight back than teenagers,” said Anson P D Alexander, the director and founder of Kanal.
Dishonour roll
Dists with most Pocso cases in 2023
P’thitta reported least no. of cases: 177
Source: State Crime Records Bureau
T’Puram 601
Malappuram 507
Ernakulam 484
Kozhikode 421
Kollam 375
Thrissur 369
‘Reporting of cases rose due to better awareness’
Adding to concerns, conviction rate in Pocso cases in Kerala dropped to 15.14% in 2022 from 35.98% in 2018, with only 301 convictions compared to 1,465 acquittals.
R S Vijay Mohan, special public prosecutor in the Thiruvananthapuram Pocso fast track court, pointed out that the rise in elopements by those aged between 16 and 18 contributed to the surge in Pocso cases. He attributed the rise in cases to increased reporting of such incidents which itself showed heightened awareness about sexual abuse.
“The reporting of incidents of sexual abuse against children has increased following awareness campaigns. However, in many cases, in which partners or close relatives were abusers, there is a tendency to settle the matter once a compromise is reached between the accused and the victim’s family. This also affects the conviction rate,” Mohan said.
One solution, he said, was integrating information about Pocso in the school curriculum.
“Already, schools are teaching young students about ‘good touch’ and ‘bad touch.’ With higher awareness, reporting of such cases will also go up,” he said.