Almost 3 crimes against women in Kochi every day

Crimes against women in Kochi spike

Kochi: Crimes against women have spiked by 56.25 per cent in Kerala's Kochi city. This is evident from the number of cases registered in 2018, compared to 2014-2017 (January-December). A total of 1036 such cases were registered in 2018 (that is 2.83 cases per day). The numbers in years 2014 to 2017 were 468, 395, 492 and 663. Sexual assault cases rose from 63 to 84. The numbers were 51, 62, and 85 in years 2015 to 2017. One dowry death each was registered in 2016 and 2018.

Sexual abuse cases in 2014 rose from 154 to 256 in 2018. Eighteen eve-teasing cases became 67 during the same period. Nine women were abducted against one five years ago. Other crimes against women rose from 82 to 543. Cases of domestic violence however, have come down. When the city police registered 74 such cases in 2018, the numbers in the years following 2014 were 150, 123, 111 and 108.

Children unsafe

Sex abuse against children remains checkered over the years. When 23 cases were registered in 2014 and 2015, they were 25, 34, 27 in the following years. When 4 were killed in 2014, there have not been any murders in 2017 or 2018. No cases of infant deaths or fetal murder have been reported. One case of underage wedding was registered in 2014.

2017 saw most child abductions in 5 years - 12. When one case was registered in 2014, it was 8 in 2018. No cases of sex trafficking of children happened in last five years. 2017 was the worst year for crime against children – 139 cases. 83 and 136 were registered in 2016 and 2018.

Change attitude

VC Jenny, social activist, Kochi

Women face violent abuses. There are laws against abuse. The problem is with the attitudes, which have remained unchanged for decades. They face abuse inside and outside their homes. Attitudes have to change not just laws.

Protect victims

TB Mini, social activist, Kochi

Sex rackets have culture has proliferated in city. Drug and alcohol use has increased in young men. They lead to sexual abuse. Victims in domestic abuses change statements in court. Neither women’s commission nor women’s welfare bodies take serious note of such cases. Victims of child abuse are sent to juvenile homes. Why someone who has not done anything wrong should be made to live with convicts? Special arrangements need to be made to protection, education, growth and training of victims.

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