Incidents of rape against minors and child marriages have surged exponentially from 2018 to 2021 in the state, setting alarm bells ringing about the safety of kids. Rapes against Women have also gone up.
According to data tabled in the legislative council during the , cases of rape against children have increased from 1,410 to 1,761 (25%) from 2018 to this year. Activists say the actual number is more as many cases go unreported in rural areas. Cases of child marriage have jumped 200% (from 74 to 223) in the state in the corresponding period, raising questions about functioning of child protection units in districts and the women and child welfare department.
Activists say kids became more vulnerable during the pandemic due to the lockdown assaults (other than rape) against kids increased by 8%. Rapes against women saw a 4% rise, going up from 486 in 2018 to 507 in 2021.
Child marriage incidents have been on the rise since 2018 with 74 cases registered that year, 108 in 2019, 180 in 2020 and 223 in 2021. The increase during the pandemic has not been addressed. The data also shows that cases underJuvenile Justice Actincreased from 50 in 2018 to 67 in 2021.