Crimes against Children cases are raising Kerala

Kerala, Dec 21: The crimes against children are increasing in the Kerala state as shown by the rising number of registered cases under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act in the last three years.

At least 2,207 cases were registered until October this year, the highest since 2013, according to police records. The number last year was 2,122.

"But only a few parents or victims are approaching Childline or Child Welfare Committees seeking a solution," says Mr. K.K.Joseph, former member, Child Welfare Committee here.

Over 5,600 POCSO cases are pending trial in the state. Data provided by the Kerala Commission for the Protection of Child Rights (KeSCPCR) last year on the basis of figures from special courts from November 2012 to December 2015 revealed that only seven percent of the cases were disposed of.

The conviction rate stands at 20 percent, that is, only 53 of the 261 cases reached a logical conclusion. As per an unofficial data, the verdict was issued only in about 530 POCSO cases tried between 2013 and 2016 in the state.

Out of this, only 70 cases went in favor of the abused children. Over 85 percent of the cases were acquitted.