Alarming 9.2% Rise in Crimes Against Children: NCRB Data Reveals 177,335 Cases in 2023

New Delhi: The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) has reported that incidents of crime against children increased by 9.2 percent in 2023, with a total of 177,335 cases registered nationwide compared to 162,449 cases in 2022.

The crime rate per 100,000 child population rose from 36.6 in 2022 to 39.9 in 2023, continuing an upward trend from 149,404 cases recorded in 2021.

Among the reported crimes, "Kidnapping and Abduction of Children" constituted the largest category with 79,884 cases (45 percent), followed by offenses under the "Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act" with 67,694 cases (38.2 percent).

Victim analysis revealed that 762 victims were under six years old, 3,229 were between six and 12 years, 15,444 were between 12 and 16 years, and 21,411 were between 16 and 18 years, totaling 40,846 child victims.

In the overwhelming majority of sexual assault cases, perpetrators were known to the victims. Out of 40,434 cases, 39,076 involved known offenders, including 3,224 family members, 15,146 family friends, neighbors or employers, and 20,706 friends, online acquaintances, or partners who promised marriage.

The data documented 40,434 cases of penetrative sexual assault under sections 4 and 6 of the POCSO Act, often in conjunction with IPC section 376 for rape. Additionally, 22,444 cases involved aggravated assaults and harassment under sections 8 and 10 of the POCSO Act combined with IPC section 354.

Kidnapping and abduction emerged as the most prevalent crime category, with 79,884 cases affecting 82,106 children—a rate of 18 per 100,000 population. General abductions accounted for 58,927 cases, including 37,844 instances where missing children were classified as kidnapped. Notably, 14,637 cases involved the abduction of minor girls for forced marriage.

The report also highlighted 1,219 murder cases with 1,384 child victims, including 89 cases linked to rape or POCSO violations. Additional statistics included 3,050 cases of simple hurt and 373 instances of abetment to suicide.

Beyond the POCSO Act, other Special and Local Laws contributed significantly to the overall figures, with 6,038 cases under the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act and 1,390 under the Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act.

Madhya Pradesh recorded the highest number of cases (22,393) with a rate of 77.9 per 100,000 children, followed closely by Maharashtra (22,390 cases; rate: 62) and Uttar Pradesh (18,852 cases; rate: 22.1). Assam reported 10,174 cases with the highest rate among states at 84.2, while Bihar registered 9,906 cases.

Union Territories showed disproportionately high rates, particularly the Andaman and Nicobar Islands (143.4) and Delhi (140.3), with Delhi alone accounting for 7,769 cases.

The overall charge-sheeting rate stood at 64.3 percent nationally but varied significantly across regions. Tamil Nadu (93.7 percent) and Andhra Pradesh (91.3 percent) demonstrated high efficiency, while Delhi (31.7 percent) and Haryana (39.6 percent) lagged considerably.

Police records indicated that of the 257,756 cases investigated, 112,290 were charge-sheeted, with 80,198 cases remaining pending at year-end, representing a pendency rate of 32.2 percent.