Crimes Against Children in Karnataka State - An Analytical Study

Children constitute one of the most vulnerable sections of society and are increasingly exposed to various forms of violence, abuse, exploitation, and neglect.Crimes against children not only violate their fundamental rights but also adversely affect their physical, psychological, emotional, and social development.The present study examines the pattern and trend of crimes against children in Karnataka using secondary data collected from the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) and the State Crime Records Bureau (SCRB), Karnataka, for the period 2021-2023 , , .The study analyses year-wise and district-wise variations in crimes against children with special emphasis on offences registered under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, kidnapping and abduction, murder, and other major categories of child victimization.Descriptive statistical techniques, including frequencies, percentages, crime rates, charge sheeting rates, percentage increase/decrease, tables, and graphical representations, were employed for data analysis.The findings reveal that crimes against children in Karnataka increased from 7,261 cases in 2021 to 8,929 cases in 2023, representing an overall increase of 22.97 percent.Bengaluru City reported the highest number of crimes against children, whereas Mangaluru City recorded the highest crime rate relative to the child population.Offences under the POCSO Act constituted the largest proportion of crimes against children, with 3,878 incidents involving 3,992 victims in 2023, of which nearly 78 percent were cases of penetrative sexual assault under Sections 4 and 6 of the Act.Kidnapping and abduction emerged as another major category, accounting for 3,318 victims, with the majority of cases registered under Section 363 IPC.Districts such as Shimoga, Tumakuru, Chikkaballapura, Kolar, Ramanagara, Hassan, and Bengaluru District consistently reported higher levels of child victimization.Considerable variation was also observed in crime rates and charge sheeting rates across districts, reflecting differences in reporting practices, policing efficiency, and criminal justice outcomes.The study concludes that crimes against children in Karnataka continue to pose a serious social and legal challenge.Strengthening child protection systems, enhancing community awareness, improving investigation and prosecution, ensuring effective implementation of the POCSO Act, and adopting district-specific preventive strategies are essential for reducing child victimization and safeguarding children's rights.