Rape cases double in Kerala over five years

Thiruvananthapuram: Rape cases have more than doubled in Kerala over the last five years. The incidence of such cases in relation to population is higher than the national average and those in the neigbouring States.

The reported cases of rape in Kerala were 1263 in 2015 against 617 in 2010 according to data released by the State Crime Records Bureau. The highest number of cases was reported from Thiruvananthapuram Rural and Malappuram district. Unreported cases of rape are said to be several times this figure.

The reported incidents of rape in Kerala were 7.5 per one lakh of female population against national average of 6.1. In Tamil Nadu the rate was much less at 1.3 per lakh female population. The respective figures for Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka were 3.8 and 4.4 per lakh female population.

One reason for higher incidence is related to higher number of women going out of their localities for education and employment. Another reason is the high sex ratio in Kerala.

As there are nearly 5 million more women than men in the State, many women fail to get married or marry at a higher age. Many of them are without stable families or relatives and they do not get the protection of a husband or family. Even in the case of many married women, their husbands are working outside the State. All these factors increase their vulnerability to attacks.

There is also the problem of collapsing values in the society. Fathers, teachers and priests were involved in around 400 rape cases last year.

Criminologists point out that increase in mobile phone use is also contributing to increase in crimes against women.  Mobiles phones are being used to trap women. Poor financial position of women also plays a major role in increasing their vulnerability.

A study conducted by Institute of Social Science New Delhi on women victims of crime in 2012-13 about 75 per cent of the victims of rape were from lowest or lower economic classes.  Most of them had incomes of less than Rs. 5000 a month. However, people from upper and middle class preferred to hide crimes against women and hence such cases were under-reported.

The study also reported that women in the age group of 19 to 40 years were most vulnerable though all age groups were vulnerable to attacks. Abuse of girl child was on the increase in the State.

Extreme forms of crime against women were found to be committed by alcoholics and drug addicts. Though the government had recently taken some steps to limit availability of alcohol, drug abuse is increasing in the State.