Number of cases reported so far this year put at 19

Last week, a 15-year-old girl studying in Class VIII was repeatedly raped for three days allegedly by a 50-year-old man of the same colony in Gajuwaka.

In the same week, a five-year-old girl was sexually assaulted allegedly by her neighbour.

The incidents had come to light only after their parents discovered wounds inflicted by the accused.

In the first case, the girl did not say anything as the accused allegedly threatened her with dire consequences.

In the second case, the girl did not understand what had happened to her.

“What is concerning is that instances of rape, particularly of minors, are on the rise not just in the city but across the country despite the government bringing out stringent Acts such as POCSO (Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012) and the Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, 2013, which is popularly known as Nirbhaya Act,” said Lakshmi of Mahila Sangham.

As per the crime record, the number of rape cases in city so far this year stands at 42. Among them, 19 pertain to minors.

In 2014, the figure stood at 84 and 26. In 2013, it was 67 and 43.

“What is even more striking is the fact that 90 per cent of the offences against minors are committed by persons known to the family members,” says Sunita Krishnan of Prajwala, who is running a nationwide campaign, ‘Shame the rapist’.

According to DCP (Zone- II) G. Ram Gopal Naik, minors come under the most vulnerable segment.

“In majority of the cases, they are too young to understand what has happened. Even if they do, they many not say it because of fear and social stigma. And that aspect is exploited by the offenders,” says the DCP.

“Considering the rise in the offences, police stations have been told to prepare a list of sexual offenders for better monitoring and enforcement,” Commissioner of Police Amit Garg told The Hindu .