Bangalore :The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), released new data on crimes against women for the year 2013 on June 30th . These statistics show an alarming increase of 26.7% – This could be due to increased reportage, and increased sensitivity of the law enforcement agencies in the wake of the Nirbhaya case and strengthening of the law itself.
Crimes against Women
A total of 3,09,546 cases of crimes against women (under various sections of Indian Penal Code and Special and Local Laws) were reported in the country during the year 2013 as compared with 2,44,270 in the year 2012, thus showing an increase of 26.7%.
According to the population census of 2011, the NCRB has identified 53 cities as mega cities. A total of 53,464 cases of crimes against women were reported from these 53 cities during the year 2013 as compared with 36,622 cases in the year 2012. The rate of crime in cities at 69.7 per cent was comparatively higher as compared with the national rate of 52.2.
Bangalore is third in this nefarious list. It is exceeded in this by, you guessed it – Delhi and Mumbai. Bangalore, with a population of 85 Lakh, recorded 2608 crimes against women, while Mumbai with a population of 2.3 Crores recoreded 2946 cases. Delhi with a population of 2.5 crores recorded 11449 crimes against women.
Molestation and Assault:
Meanwhile, Delhi recorded 3,069 cases of molestation and assault with intent to outrage the modesty of a woman, while Mumbai registered 1,163 cases and Bangalore, 378.
Rape:
An increasing trend in the incidence of rape has also been observed during the 2009-2013 period. These cases have reported an increase of 3.6% in 2010 over 2009, and an increase of 9.2% in the year 2011 over the year 2010, an increase of 3% in the year 2012 over 2011, and further an increase of 35.2% in the year 2013 over 2012.
Interestingly, Bangalore saw a decrease in the number of rapes reported, with the number decreasing from 90 in 2012 to 80 in 2013. However, Delhi saw an alarming rise of 146.3% from 585 in 2012 to 1,441 in 2013; while Mumbai also showed an escalation in numbers with 391 rape cases being registered in 2013, compared with 232 in 2012.
Kidnap and Abduction:
The number of kidnap and abduction cases reported in the city for 2013 was 538, while the recorded number of cases of cruelty by husbands and relatives was 482. Dowry deaths in the city clocked in at 52 in 2013, as opposed to 51 in 2012.
Statistics can only reveal the reported cases. Many many cases go unreported due to ignorance, fear, and the apathy of law enforcement in registering the cases – they tend to persuade the victim to compromise as in the case of the Frazer town sexual assault case.
Poor Conviction rate in Karnataka:
As per statistics furnished by Karnataka Home minister K J George in the ongoing legislature session, the state police have arrested 8,497 persons on charges of sexual assault from 2011 to June 15, 2014. On an average, around 350 minor girls and around 300 women are sexually assaulted every year across the state. But the average yearly convictions are only around 35 in such cases. 
2,965 women and minor girls were sexually assaulted in the last three-and-a-half years, the number of convictions is a measly 118!
This is in abysmal record by any standards and the Government must be ashamed of its record in protecting its citizens against crime. A major reason for the poor conviction rate in sexual assault cases is the shoddy investigation by the cops.
It is well known that most of the victims back out because of the humiliation they undergo and the threats they receive during the trial. The investigating officers also fail to protect the witnesses.
The Home minister George had no explanation to give the people of the state on the low conviction rate. He however said that all steps are being taken to check violence against women.
The minister said the government has given administrative approval for setting up special treatment units for women victims at Bowring Hospital, K C General Hospital, Nimhans and Jayadeva Hospital in the city, besides 30 hospitals across the state.
