Kochi: The children in rural areas in the state are more vulnerable to sexual assault and harassment than those in urban areas due to lack of awareness among the parents, children and the public about the crimes.
The cases registered under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offence Act (POCSO) across the state reveal some startling facts.
In the five districts of Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Ernakulam, Thrissur and Kozhikode, 286 cases were registered in the rural areas till August this year and 171 in the urban areas.
In 2014, a total of 405 cases were registered in the rural areas and 276 in the urban areas. In 2013, the number of cases in rural areas was 299 and in urban areas 197.
The disparity between the cases in the urban and rural areas has been growing over the years. In 2013, it was 102, in 2014—129 and in 2015 (till August)—115.
There has been a growing trend in the number of offences committed against children in the state. In 2013, the number of cases registered was 1,002 which rose to 1,380 in 2014.
In the current year till August, the number has already reached 987. Mr Murugan Theruvoram, a child rights activist from Ernakulam, told Deccan Chronicle that lack of awareness in rural areas was the key reason for this state of affairs.
“The reach of the police is high in urban areas and there are many activists, NGOs and other associations campaigning against the evil. However, this is not available in rural areas,” he said and added that the state government must step in to remedy this situation.
Deputy Police Commissioner of Kochi, Mr Hari Sankar, opined that it was necessary to spread awareness among the rural population on the offences. Not only the victims but the offenders also must realise the gravity of the crime.
In urban areas, the parents, children and the public are aware of sexual offences and they know how to guard against them, he said.
