The number of recorded sexual offences against children has risen by 40 percent, a report study conducted by Dr Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital and Safdarjung Hospital says.
At Safdarjung Hospital, at total of 310 cases were reported this year, of which 62 cases were of victims falling under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012, (POCSO), a senior doctor at Gynaecology Safdarjung Hospital told Daily mail.
In 2015, about 95 cases of sexual assaults on victims below 18 years of age were reported.
“We have seen patients from age group of 5 months to 18 years. On an average, we witness about 20-25 cases of sexual assault every month, of which 3-4 cases are that of children. Ironically, the numbers are increasing,” said a senior doctor at Gynaecology Safdarjung Hospital.
“The 2015 report of the registered crime incidents against women, held at the Gynecology Department of RML hospital, it was found, out of nearly 100 cases of sexual offences, 40 per cent were on children between 4- 10 years,” said Dr AK Gadpayle, Medical Superintendent of RML Hospital.
He said, a lot of awareness towards sexual assault on children is still required as most victims to sexual offences in India are young children.
“Parents have to be alert while leaving there young ones alone or with the neighbours or their relatives,” he said.
Another doctor said, “Since, these young patients narrate different stories to police and doctors during counselling, doctors are advised to counsel them again as there is a disparity between the counselling done by the Delhi Police and the RML doctors.”
Doctors conduct counselling of patients in privacy and in most cases, it is found that children are mostly targeted by neighbours or relatives.
“Many a time, children get scared after the incident and start telling lies. So, it becomes very important for us to get the correct version. Sometimes, children also get influenced by their parents and family members too. More number of victims are from the slum areas,” the doctor added.
