Bengaluru: More than half of 2017 has passed and the number of registered complaints under Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso) Act in Bengaluru stands at 254, as per the Central Crime Record Bureau. In 2016, there were 315 complaints and in 2015, 288 cases, which is a testament to the fact that Bengaluru is not safe for children.
To combat child sexual abuse cases, several Western countries have National Sex Offender Registries, which allow governments to keep track of convicted offenders, makes public their name, photograph, addresses, etc. Though draft preparation was announced by the Centre in 2016, it has gone into cold storage.
Nagasimha G. Rao, director, Child Rights Trust (CRT), said, “If we implement the registry, information will be easily available to the public. Like in the US, UK and Norway, we can put up boards within a 100-metre radius, stating that a convicted paedophile lives here. The criminal's details should be widely circulated after he is convicted and is out of jail after serving the term.”
He revealed that the CRT's childline, 1098, receives nearly a thousand complaints a month from all over Karnataka on some form of child abuse.
“Pocso complaints come at least five times a week. There are thousands more that go unreported as stigma is attached to such incidents. We meet victim’s parents who feel ashamed to file complaints. Perpetrators are almost always known to the victim, in schools, homes or school buses.”
Ms Kripa Alva, chairperson, State Commission for Protection of Child Rights, said, “The discussion on the national registry has not even started yet in Karnataka. It has to be debated, including pros, cons and repercussions. Thinking out loud, ‘What if an innocent person is wrongly convicted and their details end up on the registry?’”
In response, Nagasimha said, “The first time an accused is convicted, his name is not put in the registry. But the criminals usually commit the offence again as it is an addiction. If it happens twice/thrice, their details should be revealed.”
Home Minister Ramalinga Reddy said, “Making the details of criminals may help. But handling this at the police level with 100% inquiry will put an end to crimes against children. Usually, the incident is forgotten and investigation delayed. We can’t have another Vibgyor incident. Schools must implement safety guidelines or else strict action will be taken.”
