Telangana records 71% rise in crimes against children
Hyderabad: Crimes against children in Telangana have increased nearly 71% between 2017 and 2023, as per the latest analysis of the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) by Child Rights and You (CRY). The state recorded 3,580 cases in 2017, rising steadily to 6,113 in 2023. The steepest surge occurred between 2020 and 2023, a 45.55% jump, compared to a 17.32% rise in the earlier four-year period.
In its review released on Monday, CRY noted that while there was a marginal dip in 2020, cases spiked sharply in 2021 and continued to climb.
Majority of cases linked to sexual and kidnap offences
CRY said sexual crimes and kidnappings dominated the state’s child-related offences. Between 2022 and 2023, sexual crimes alone rose 38.3%. According to NCRB 2023 data, Pocso-related sexual offences and kidnappings accounted for 84% of all crimes against children in Telangana that year.
The NCRB data also revealed an alarming pattern: 99.8% of Pocso victims were abused by people they knew — family members, neighbours, employers or online acquaintances.
Girls far more vulnerable in 12–18 age group
Data from the chart shows 1,760 child victims in 2023, including:
Below 6 years: 30 victims
6–12 years: 109 victims
12–16 years: 554 victims
16–18 years: 1,067 victims
This makes the 12–18 age group the most vulnerable, with 1,520 girl victims alone.
Most offenders known to victims
Among the 5,657 child victims in 2023:
1,757 cases involved offenders known to the victim
1,278 cases involved friends or online acquaintances
322 cases involved family members
Only three offenders were listed as unknown or unidentified
Experts call for stronger protection systems
John Roberts, regional director for CRY, said targeted interventions for adolescents especially girls aged 12–18 are urgent. Strengthening village and ward child protection committees is essential, he said, to help communities identify risks from known persons and online platforms.
“The state must also shift focus from general crime reduction to dismantling the specific socio-economic and criminal networks that drive child exploitation, especially in the areas of trafficking and child marriage,” Roberts said.
