The Rise Of Sexual Violence In Assam

The problem of sexual violence against women is not a new one. The solution will also demand long term engagement

- Parvin Sultana

Of late, multiple incidents of sexual violence have left the entire country shaken. What is worrisome is that a large number of victims are minors – young girls and children. While the entire country is grappling with a rise in violence against women, the Northeastern region is no exception. According to data released by the National Crime Records Bureau, crimes against women have increased from 3,29,243 in 2015 to 3,38,954 in 2016. Incidents of rapes reported have increased by a whopping 12% while other crimes like cruelty by husbands and family members have increased by 3%.

The Northeastern region has often prided itself on being a comparatively better and safer place for women. However, of late, statistics on crimes prove that even here, women and children are not safe anymore. Since 2011, Assam has seen either the highest or the second highest number of crimes against women and children. In 2016, Assam ranked second in the maximum number of crimes against women only next to Delhi. In the same year, crimes against children have also seen a threefold increase from 2014 to 2016. In Assam, there were 3964 cases of crimes against children reported in 2016.

Beyond Figures, a Grim Reality Unfolds

What the data stops short of presenting is the larger grim picture, i.e. rising violence against children. While the rape and murder of a child in Jammu’s Kathua and the complicity of authorities left the entire nation disturbed, in the last two months, Assam witnessed 20 cases of rape against minors. A reason for an increased figure of cases on one hand may be an increased awareness but it also shows how vulnerable our children are to such violence.