Kochi: Four children, on an average, are sexually abused in Kerala every day while the number of sexual offences against children has doubled in the past three years, data from the state crime records bureau show.
As many as 1,002 cases were registered under the Protection Of Children From Sexual Offences Act in 2013 as against 1,569 cases in 2015. Police records also show that 790 children were sexually assaulted in five months this year. However, only 53 accused in child sexual abuse cases have been convicted in the state from November 2012 to December 2015.
Senior police officers said that ineffective enforcement of law was a major reason for this surge in cases.
“The fear of getting caught is the only thing that can stop habitual offenders. As many perpetrators think that they can get away with such an offence, they continue with such an offence, the their crimes till they are caught,” said SP Zakaria George, state crime records bureau.
The former human rights commission investigator said that in most cases, the culprit is a relative, teacher or a priest in the locality.
“I remember a teacher in Thrissur who was convicted for molesting a child and it turned out that he was the best teacher at that school. We have seen assaults happen even at religious centres, like madrasas and Christian Sunday schools.There are instances of temple priests molesting children within the sanctum sanctorum,” he said.
Officers pointed out that more cases have come to light due to the active involvement of NGOs like Childline. Childline coordinator Aneesh S, who has been handling such cases, said that it was hard task for the child to understand their trauma. “Many times, children deny a straight question – whether he/she was molested. After proper counselling they tell real stories. Hence straightforward questioning style adopted by the police won’t work,” he said.
But what is more shocking is the low conviction rate in such cases. Data from the state commission for protection of child rights (SCPCR) showed a high rate of acquittal in few cases that were tried.
Of the 3,951 cases registered from November 2012 till December 2015 under the Pocso Act, only 53 accused were convicted. Kochi city police commissioner, MP Dinesh said that hostile witnesses and lack of cooperation from the family of the victim were the reason for the high acquittal rates. He added that the high acquittal rate was a troubling fact since criminals would become bolder sensing a chance.
“The lackadaisical attitude of police, who fail to collect enough evidence while preparing the chargesheet, is the reason why many get away with the crime,” an officer said. Experts pointed out that the lack of special courts in every district – as stipulated by the Pocso Act – is one reason for the high pendency of cases. Even after establishing special courts in Ernakulam and Thiruvananthapuram, the situation has not changed. However, in other districts the situation is worse.
In Kozhikode – where Pocso cases are heard at sessions court – only four of the 375 cases registered between 2012 and December 2015 were heard and settled in court. In all four cases, the accused were acquitted.
In Thiruvananthapuram, there were convictions in two cases though trial was completed in 24 cases.
In Ernakulam, the figure was a mere 11 though the trial was completed in 64 cases. “The attitude of investigators, prosecutors and investigating officers is one of the reasons for the accused walking free without punishment,” said Sandhya J, member, state commission for protection of child rights.
Source: The Times of India