Huge spike in TN crime cases; worrisome, say experts

CHENNAI: The number of crimes against children recorded a sharp spike in Tamil Nadu in 2021, going up by nearly 40 per cent when compared to the previous year, revealed the latest data from the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB).

There were 6,064 such cases in Tamil Nadu in 2021, up by 39.8 per cent from 4,338 in 2020. Of them, 4,465 were cases booked under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso) Act – fourth in the country. Sixty-nine children were murdered, including three who were also raped. There were also 49 cases of procuration of minor girls, and 719 other crimes. In Chennai, there were 546 cases in 2021 (including 435 Pocso cases), up from 306 in 2020.

Even while noting that the rise reflected an increase in reporting Pocso cases, John Roberts, Regional Director (South), Child Rights and You, said it still was worrisome. “The government has launched several programmes and schemes to ensure that kids are protected. However, the pandemic has made children vulnerable and exposed them to predators,” he said.

“At the systemic level, adequate resources and budget should be allocated to implement and strengthen child protection schemes and measures. In terms of society, it is crucial that everyone realises their role and report such cases,” said John.

Shibi Ravichandran, lawyer and POSH practitioner, added that people, including parents and children, often associate sexual offences with shame and indulge in victim-blaming. “The perpetrators use this to their advantage. This is something we see in training programmes in schools,” she said.