3 Dakshina Kannada taluks account for 60% of Pocso cases in region

MANGALURU: Three taluks – Sullia, Belthangady, and Puttur - account for 60% of Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso) cases in the district, according to data available with the Juvenile Justice Board (JJB), Dakshina Kannada.
The JJB data reveals that majority of the victims of Pocso are from the Dalit community. The accused are known to the victims.
Ida D’Souza is member JJB, DK and founding member of NGO-PADI Valored, Mangaluru, told that according to available data three taluks - Sullia, Belthangady and Puttur - in total report 60% of the Pocso cases in the district. “However, there have been no concrete studies done on why these three taluks report highest Pocso cases,” Ida said.
She added that members have requested K Naganna Gowda, chairperson of Karnataka State Commission for Child Rights (KSCPCR), to conduct a study on why Pocso cases are reported in these taluks. “The police who register such cases would be able to shed more light on it,” said Ida.
Data available from the Child Welfare Committee, says that between April 2022 to December 2022, the DK district registered a total of 67 cases, which is around eight cases a month and two cases per week. In total, the committee has received 241 cases, including 67 Pocso cases and missing cases.
“It is true that three taluks report the highest Pocso cases in the district, therefore, we are now planning to conduct a study. We are also planning to create awareness in these taluks to prevent them,” said Renni D’Souza, chairman, Child Welfare Committee.
According to sources, in most cases, the accused are neighbours or familiar to the victims. “The NCRB-2021 data says that in India, every third crime against a child was registered under the Pocso Act.”
DK superintendent of police Rishikesh Sonawane said Pocso cases are not confined to only these three taluks.