Crimes against children surge in Assam, Rajasthan, and Kerala

Why in News

• The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) 2023 data shows a sharp rise in crimes against children in Assam, Rajasthan, and Kerala.
• The increase is significant compared to the national average rise of 25%, prompting policy, media, and governance attention.
• The trends highlight issues in child protection, legal enforcement, and reporting mechanisms.

Relevance :

• GS-2 (Governance & Social Justice):
  • Child protection policies and mechanisms
  • Legal reforms like POCSO Act, Prohibition of Child Marriage Act
  • Role of state machinery in prevention, rescue, and rehabilitation
• GS-3 (Social Issues & Internal Security):
  • Trends in crimes against children
  • Reporting mechanisms and classification of offences
  • Targeted interventions for vulnerable groups

Overall National Trend

• National increase in crimes against children (2018–2023): 25%.
• Focus States: Assam, Kerala, Rajasthan — all exceeding the national average.

State-wise Drivers of the Rise

Assam

• Main Cause: Crackdown on child marriage.
• Data:
  • Cases under the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006:
    • 2020–2022: ~150 cases/year
    • 2023: 5,267 cases
  • Share of child marriage cases in total crimes against children: 52% (2023) vs 3–4% previously.
• Insight: Rise reflects active enforcement, not necessarily a spike in incidence.

Rajasthan

• Drivers:
  • Reclassification under POCSO Act, 2012
    • Shifted from IPC Section 376 (rape) to POCSO provisions.
    • Cases under Sections 4 & 6 of POCSO read with IPC Section 376: 3 → 3,500+ cases (2022–2023).
    • Indicates more accurate classification, alongside a real increase in offences.
  • Kidnapping and abduction:
    • Cases under child kidnapping/abduction provisions rose sharply.
    • Share in total crimes against children: >54% (2023).

Kerala

• Drivers:
  • POCSO cases surge due to improved classification and reporting.
  • Increase reflects both better detection and possibly a genuine rise in offences.

Broader Observations

• Reporting vs Incidence:
  • Higher numbers may partly reflect improved reporting and classification rather than purely higher crime rates.
• POCSO Act 2012 Impact:
  • Enhanced legal focus on child sexual offences.
  • Uniform classification helps in policy formulation and tracking.
• Policy Implication:
  • States need better child protection mechanisms, rapid response teams, and awareness programs.
  • NCRB data aids in targeted interventions and resource allocation.

Key Takeaways

• Assam, Kerala, and Rajasthan are high-alert states for child protection interventions.
• Legal reforms like POCSO Act implementation improve classification, monitoring, and enforcement.
• Policy focus should balance prevention, rescue, rehabilitation, and reporting mechanisms.
• Data-driven approach is crucial to distinguish between reporting artefacts and real increase in crimes.