The child sexual abuse cases have increased abruptly in Odisha between 2009 and 2019 where the state is positioned 4th in terms of child sexual abuse instances across states in the country.
According to the reports, in the last 10 years, cases of child abuse and rape have increased by over 18 times in the State. In 2009, a total of 87 child sexual abuse cases were reported in Odisha, and, surprisingly, it increased to 1648 in 2019 (231 and 1417 cases registered under child rape and POCSO Act respectively).
The Union Minister reveals that 31,132 cases were reported in 2019 against 5368 in 2009- a five times rise in a decade and it clearly states that crimes against children have increased in Odisha more than the national average. Child rights activists are of the view that the increasing use of mobile phones and internet facilities have contributed majorly to the rise in crimes against children.
Jayshree Mohapatra, child rights activist stated that children nowadays are spending more time on mobile phones and have easy access to the Internet and television. All these are driving them towards wrong things and increasing the risk of child sexual abuse.
Sandhyabati Pradhan, chairperson of Odisha State Commission for Protection of Child Rights stated that they have requested Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik to consider setting up of special police stations alike the Mahila Police Stations across the State for children. If the CM gives his nod to the proposal, they think it will help put a tab on the increasing number of crimes against children.
