Online sexual abuse cases on the rise from last year

THANE: The molestation cases are now moving from the streets to the web-world. While the cases of molestation have seen a decline last year owing to lockdown and closure of educational and commercial establishments, more than 40 per cent of such cases were related to cybercrime, as per the police records.

Apart from these, cases involving close family members and those registered by Covid patients against hospital staff were also observed.

From January to December 2020, the Thane police commissionerate recorded 412 cases as opposed to 608 cases during the same time span in 2019.

In the eight months of stringent lockdown last year, 130 cases were registered out of which 52 cases were related to cybercrimes, wherein molestation sections were added.

An officer from the cyber cell of Thane said, “This year, many cases of molestation were over the internet.

“These basically included women being blackmailed into marriage by threatening to share obscene photos of them on social media or passing lewd comments. These cases have both IT and molestation sections.”

Another trend that has been observed was an increase in cases wherein the accused is a close family member.

An officer from Zone 2 of Thane commissionerate said,

“Since people were not moving out much, cases registered against close family members like uncles or cousins for molesting minor girls were also on the rise. Some of the accused also were friends and family members whose stay extended over a few days or a few weeks due to the lockdown as travel was not possible.”

Cases were also registered by Covid patients who were sexually abused by hospital employees. The zonal deputy commissioner of police has asked the hospital authorities to keep a check on the staff to avoid such incidents.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (zone 3), Vivek Pansare, said, “We have asked hospitals to be vigilant against their male staff and also beef up security in the women wards to avoid such incidents.”

The curbs and less interaction at public places are cited as reasons for overall decline in molestation cases by the police.

Additional commissioner, crime branch, S Yenpure said, “Lockdown is the main reason for the reduction is cases as there was no crowding at public places for most part of the year. Transport system, schools, colleges and commercial establishments were also closed, reducing the number of cases. There were police officers at every corner and junction to stop people from going out. This increased police presence was also an important factor in reducing these cases.”

There was, however, an increase in the number of cases after September when the unlock began. More than 200 cases were added in merely four months.

There are a total 116 molestation cases with Protection of Children from Sexual Offences sections registered this year by under-18 girls, last year there were 183 registered. Women helplines received very few molestation related calls this year.