Decoding the Surge in Crimes Against Children: A Story of Crackdowns, Classification, and Reporting
UPSC Relevance
Prelims: Social Issues (Crimes against children); Indian Polity and Governance (Key Legislations - Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, Prohibition of Child Marriage Act; Key Institutions - National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB)).
Mains:
General Studies Paper 1 (Society): Social empowerment; Salient features of Indian Society. Issues related to children and women are a core part of this paper.
General Studies Paper 2 (Social Justice & Governance): Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of the population by the Centre and States and the performance of these schemes; mechanisms, laws, institutions and Bodies constituted for the protection and betterment of these vulnerable sections (Children).
Key Highlights from the News
National Crimes Records Bureau (NCRB)'s latest figures show a sharp increase in crimes against children in Assam, Rajasthan, and Kerala in 2023.
However, the reasons behind this increase vary in each state. This does not only indicate an actual increase in crime.
Assam: A major government crackdown against child marriage is the main reason for the increase in cases. Cases under the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006 rose sharply.
Rajasthan:
Cases of sexual assault against children, previously registered under IPC sections, are now being more accurately classified under the POCSO Act, 2012 (POCSO Law).
There was an increase in cases of kidnapping and abduction of children.
Kerala: The increase in Kerala is due to more accurate classification of POCSO cases and an increase in reported cases.
Key Observation: The increase in the number of reported cases may not only be due to an increase in crime, but also a good indication of improved reporting and increased public awareness.
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