Archive · 25 Jan 2026
POCSO Victims Double in 7 Years
In India, the number of cases under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act has nearly doubled from 2016 to 2023.
This means more children, especially girls, are facing sexual violence.
Most of the victims are girls, with very few boys affected.
The biggest number of child rape victims are in the 16 to 18 age group.
Kidnapping is also a big problem, with many girls being abducted, sometimes to force them into marriage.
The data shows that while some types of crimes are decreasing, overall, children are still at risk.
POCSO cases rose from 36,022 in 2016 to 67,694 in 2023, with victims increasing from 36,321 to 68,636.
Girls accounted for over 99% of child rape victims, with 1.87 lakh girls and 1,920 boys affected between 2018 and 2023.
The highest number of child rape victims were in the 16 to 18 age group, with 95,543 cases.
Kidnapping was the biggest risk, with 5.32 lakh victims between 2016 and 2023, including 1.1 lakh minor girls abducted to compel marriage.
Maharashtra reported the highest number of child rape cases in 2023, with 4,672 victims.
- Who
- Children in India, predominantly girls
- What
- Increase in POCSO cases and sexual offenses against children
- When
- Between 2016 and 2023
- Where
- India
- Why
- Various factors including exposure and vulnerability, especially among older children
- Total POCSO victims (2016-2023)
- 3.93 lakh
- Total crime against children victims (2016-2023)
- 12.05 lakh
- Girl rape victims (2018-2023)
- 1.87 lakh
- Boy rape victims (2018-2023)
- 1,920
- Top state for child rape (2023)
- Maharashtra (4,672 victims)
- Total kidnapping victims (2016-2023)
- 5.32 lakh
- Minor girls abducted for marriage (2016-2023)
- 1.1 lakh
