Crime against women in Delhi goes up by 20%

NEW DELHI: Crime against women in the capital has gone up by 20% this year as compared to 2014, and there has also been a 27% increase in registration of rapes cases.

A total of 6,482 cases of rape and molestation were registered under IPC up to October 31 against 5,483 in the corresponding period last year. Police data also reveal that 2,069 cases of rape were registered in 2014 as compared to 1,571 in 2013; 4,179 molestation cases were reported in 2014 against 3,345 in 2013; there were 1,282 cases of harassment in 2014 against 879 the year before; and dowry death cases touched 147 in 2014 as compared to 137 in 2013.

Delhi Police has registered 7,124 FIRs of rape in the first eight months of 2015 of which only one case has been solved. In 2014, 11,209 such FIRs were lodged, but only nine accused were convicted. In 2013, the figure stood at 65 for 9,271 FIRs.

Police officers say that in 70% of cases, the accused are known to the victims and crimes are committed inside homes, making it difficult to prevent them. Only 3.5% of rapes are committed by strangers.

Activist Kavita Krishnan says there is no doubt that the number of cases has gone up, but the justice-delivery mechanism has failed. "The number of cases have not decreased with more reporting. There have been instances when people have been harassed and humiliated in the process of getting justice. This should be looked at," she said.
Police said majority of sexual assaults go unreported due to stigma attached to such crimes. "But police stations have a zero-tolerance policy while dealing with cases of crimes against women," an officer said.

Mental health expert Avdesh Sharma blames it on rising social disparities. "People's lifestyles have changed but their mindset has not. If there is a case, there is a lot of publicity but no one feels the trauma of the woman. This must change," he said.

Delhi Police has registered 7,124 FIRs of rape in the first eight months of 2015 of which only one case has been solved. In 2014, 11,209 such FIRs were lodged, but only nine accused were convicted.