In 5 years, TN sees 300 per cent rise in child rapes: Study

Tamil Nadu also has recorded the highest number of child rape cases with almost 1,440 cases in the last five years. The state of affairs is further substantiated by an exponential increase in crimes against

children from 925 cases in 2011 to 2,856 cases in 2016 which is more than 200%.

At a time when our country desperately seeks stricter judicial intervention, the ordinance on the death penalty has been passed. The ordinance also lays down stringent punishment for rape of a girl under 12 years, with a minimum jail term of 20 years which may go up to life in prison or death sentence. While the ordinance attempts to strengthen the legal actions, what it seems to miss is the need for preventive measures rather than curative ones.

“It is beyond doubt that the state has to act strongly in order to curb violence against children, however, this ordinance does come as a knee-jerk reaction. We also need to address the bigger challenge in carrying out investments in preventive mechanisms to make children safe in spaces – homes, schools, neighbourhood, parks, roads etc, at all times. According to NCRB, 95% of children were assaulted by people they knew. Thus, there lies a possibility with the passing of death sentence that the number of crimes reported might go down once more to safeguard perpetrators from the capital punishment,” said Suma Ravi, Regional Director (South), Child Rights and You, CRY.

She further stated that the increased number is an indication that the reporting of the crime has increased, which is a step ahead in the right direction. This decision can have implications on people not wanting to report further, given in most cases, the perpetrators are from the known circle.