Over the last decade, the number of girl child rape victims reported across the country has risen sharply, while courts continue to grapple with thousands of pending cases. The recent rape incidents in Delhi have sparked outrage and renewed concerns over the safety of girl child in India. official data from the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) suggest that the problem extends far beyond a one-off incident While the cases have once again triggered demands for swift action.
Sexual assault (non-penetrative) emerged as the second-largest category, with 96,505 victims during the five-year period. Cases of sexual harassment accounted for 12,807 victims, while 2,924 victims were linked to the use of children for pornography. Another 3,034 victims were recorded under other categories of sexual offences. The figures highlight that while different forms of sexual abuse affect children, rape remains the single biggest contributor to crimes against minor girls, accounting for nearly two-thirds of all victims covered in these categories between 2020 and 2024.
Reported victims have nearly quadrupled in a decade, teenage girls account for the largest share of victims, most accused are known to the child, and a large number of cases remain stuck in the justice system. One of the most striking findings in the data challenges a common perception about child rape. Friends, partners on the pretext of marriage, relatives, neighbours and family members accounted for the majority of the accused persons. Only a small fraction of cases involved strangers. The trend is not new. The figures point to a system where many victims and their families continue to wait years for closure even there are fast-track courts for POCSO cases. State-wise data show significant differences in girl child rape crime rates across India. The Delhi minor rape case has once again put the spotlight on the safety of children. But the broader data show a deeper challenge. The data show that for many, the more immediate challenge is simply staying safe.
In 2024, 97 per cent of girl child rape cases involved a person known to the victim. For much of the past decade, conviction rates have hovered around 30 per cent, while pendency levels have remained above 85 per cent. Meghalaya recorded the highest crime rate at 20.4 cases per lakh population in 2024. It was followed by Sikkim (16.4) and Mizoram (16.1). Tamil Nadu and Assam rounded out the top five with crime rates of 13.6 and 12.3, respectively.
“Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao” was meant to secure a better future for girls.
