29% rise in rape cases in first half of 2021 in Odisha

BHUBANESWAR: The Covid-induced lockdown and weekend shutdowns could not ensure safety of women as the state witnessed about 29% rise in rape cases in the first half of 2021 compared to the corresponding period of 2020.
According to a written reply in the assembly by minister of state for home Dibya Shankar Mishra, altogether 1,563 rape cases were registered in the state between January and June this year.Though the minister’s written reply did not contain the specific crime data of the corresponding six months of 2020, statistics obtained by TOI from the Odisha police headquarters revealed 1,212 rape cases were registered across the state between January and June 2020.
The minister’s reply indicated a spurt in rape cases in the last few years.
Altogether 2,286 rape and 13 rape-murder cases were registered in 2015, 2,144 rape and 18 rape-murder cases were reported in 2016, 2,221 rape and 18 rape-murder cases in 2017, 2,502 rape and 15 rape-murder cases in 2018, 2,950 rape and nine rape-murder cases in 2019 and 2,984 rape and 11 rape-murder cases were registered in 2020, Mishra’s written reply to BJP’s Loisingha MLA Mukesh Mahaling read.
According to the minister’s reply, Mayurbhanj district reported 145 rape cases, the highest in the first half of this year. Ganjam police registered 81 rape cases, Balasore police 74 rape cases, Nabarangpur 70 cases, Bhubaneswar urban police 53 rape cases and Cuttack urban police registered 36 rape cases in the first six months of this year. Kalahandi, Mayurbhanj, Bhadrak, Sonepur, Angul and Kandhamal districts reported one rape-murder case each during the six months.
Police said sexual violence against women was difficult to prevent as they were mostly perpetrated by the acquaintances of the victims. The accused included friends, relatives and neighbours. Though there were restrictions on the movement of people and vehicles during the lockdown, such offences occurred inside houses, a senior officer said.
“We took prompt action and arrested the accused immediately after receiving complaints from the rape survivors. The government paid compensation to the victims under the Odisha Victim Compensation Scheme,” the senior police officer said.
Experts attribute the reason for involvement of acquaintances in the rape cases to their sick mindset and inadequate vigilance by family members. “A well-educated society can only protect the children. Mindset and perception should change towards girls and women,” said M K Swain, a psychologist.