Crimes Against Children in India Rose by 9.2% in 2023, NCRB Data Shows
India registered 1,77,335 cases of crime against children in 2023, marking a 9.2% increase from the previous year, according to the latest National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) report. Kidnapping and abduction (45%) and sexual offences under the POCSO Act (38.2%) were the most prevalent crimes. The data shows a crime rate of 39.9 per one lakh children, up from 36.6 in 2022. Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Uttar Pradesh recorded the highest absolute number of cases.
Unpacked:
Kidnapping and sexual offences are prevalent due to factors like social vulnerabilities, inadequate supervision, and lack of awareness. Many cases involve perpetrators known to the child, and gaps in law enforcement and delays in the justice system also contribute to high incidence rates.
Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Uttar Pradesh reported the highest absolute numbers. However, Delhi, Assam, and Madhya Pradesh had the highest rates per child population, indicating concentrated vulnerabilities, possibly due to urbanization, reporting practices, and population density.
Despite stronger laws like the POCSO Act and improved reporting mechanisms, effectiveness is limited by investigative delays and a heavy backlog—nearly 90% of POCSO cases were pending investigation or trial at the end of 2023, highlighting systemic challenges.
Crimes against children have steadily increased, with a notable 9.2% rise from 2022 to 2023. NCRB data and other studies indicate that both the number and rate have grown over the past decade, despite legal reforms and awareness campaigns.