In Karnataka, 15 women molested per day in 2022

BENGALURU: In 2022, Karnataka saw at least 15 women filing complaints of molestation and outraging of modesty on an average every day. More than 5,800 such cases were registered across districts in the year.
According to official data from state police, out of the 5,807 cases, 1,877 were in public places, and 973 in private places. There were nine such cases on public conveyance (transportation) and 2,829 were categorised as having happened at "other places", while 119 were attempts. Comparatively, in 2021, the number of such cases in public places was 1,566, while 817 were in private places.
Analysis of data for the period between January 2018 and December 2022 shows the state has seen more than 25,000 such cases at an average of around 500 every month. The highest such cases were reported last year followed by 2018 (see graphic), which means cases in 2022 breached the pre-pandemic levels.
"There was a dip in the big pandemic year (2020), when movement of people was restricted, but it again breached the 5,000-mark in 2021 and 2022. While all such cases are registered immediately and acted upon legally, the issue needs sociological and psychological addressing," a senior officer said.
All these cases have been registered under Section 354 of Indian Penal Code (IPC) and attract punishment with imprisonment for a term which may extend to two years, or with fine, or both. The said section deals with assault or criminal force on women with the intent to outrage modesty.
Another police personnel pointed out that in several of these cases the allegations are not severe - they do not include serious assault or molestation - but are registered under Section 354 as there's a strict policy to register all such complaints based on the survivor's statement.
15k other crimes last year
These were not the only crimes against women in the state in 2022. While there were more than 500 rapes as reported by TOI earlier, the total number of crimes against women stood at 15,492.
Of the 15,492 cases, 2,843 were that of cruelty by husband, 15 murders for dowry, 241 immoral trafficking, 4,082 cyber crimes, 166 abetment to suicides, 432 other murders and so on.
In fact, the total number of crimes against women has increased to breach the pre-pandemic levels, according to analysis of data for the last five years.
The 15,942 cases in 2022 were 14% more than the 13,513 cases in 2018, and 12% more than the 13,824 cases in 2019. In 2020, the same dipped to 12,680, while 2021 saw 14,468 cases.