ALAPPUZHA: The sexual offence cases against children are increasing in the state. The number of cases registered under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act rose from 1,427 last year to 1,718 till October this year, according to the data on the website of Kerala police. The number of cases in 2014 was 1,380 and 1,002 in 2013. Malappuram district continues to remain on the top of the list for the last three years.
Ms J. Sandhya, member, Kerala State Commission for the Protection of Child Rights (KeSCPCR), says that many cases go unreported. “Only a few parents or victims approach Childline or Child Welfare Committee seeking any action,” she says. The KeSCPCR had recently decided to look into the reasons behind the dismal rate of convictions in the cases—only seven per cent. The accused were convicted only in 53 of the 261 cases that reached logical a conclusion.
The POCSO Act introduced in 2012 had upped the age of consent for girls from 16 to 18. This means boys who have consensual sex with girls below 18 can be charged with rape charges. Mr K.K. Joseph, member, Child Welfare Committee, here says four cases under POCSO Act had been dealt with in the last month. “We have launched several campaigns and set up panchayat committees to make people aware of the law,” he said.
