CRY
analysis of NCRB data for last decade shows sharper increase between 2012 and
2016
Crimes against children have increased
by 500% in the past decade, according to a cumulative analysis done by Child
Rights and You (CRY) on the basis of data released by the National Crime Record
Bureau (NCRB) every year.
The CRY report indicates that children
are increasingly being exposed to crimes, resulting in an exponential increase
in the crime rate.
Komal Ganotra, director, policy and
advocacy, at CRY, said that the analysis shows a sharper rate of increase
between 2012 and 2016 than in the 2006-2011 period.
According to CRY, 18,967 crimes were
reported in 2006, while 1,06,958 incidents were reported in 2016 — an increase
of 500%. Kidnapping and abduction top the crime chart, followed by child rape.
The report also indicates a steady
upward trend in crime against children since 2015, with an increase of more
than 11%, the highest ever. In 2015, the number of crimes reported was 94,172,
and the number went up by 12,786 in 2016.
“The more unfortunate truth is that the
trend has worsened this year, indicating our failure to address the age-old
issue. It’s time we ensure a more robust protective environment for children,”
Ms. Ganotra said.
There were 52,253 (48.9%) cases of
kidnapping and abduction in 2016. Rape cases constitute more than 18% of the
crime cases, when separated from the Protection of Children from Sexual
Offences (POCSO) Act. Crimes reported under the POCSO Act constitute around 4%.
Uttar Pradesh recorded the highest
number of kidnapping and abduction cases and crimes under the POCSO Act, followed
by Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh.
Incidents of crime in Maharashtra have
increased from 2,841 to 14,559 between 2006 and 2016.
“These statistics are a grim reminder of
the fact that we do not have proper prevention mechanisms to address the issue
of child protection, nor are we keen on building more empathetic understanding
and intervention plans adequately backed up by sustained investment on child
security,” Ms. Ganotra said.
Children, who by definition require the guardianship and care of adults, are among the most vulnerable and innocent victims of crimes. Crimes against children include physical and emotional abuse; neglect; and exploitation, such as through child pornography or sex trafficking of minors.
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