Visakhapatnam: Crimes against children in Andhra Pradesh saw a decline of approximately 8% in 2024 compared to the previous year, yet the state still recorded an average of more than seven such offences each day. According to data from the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), a total of 2,633 cases were registered in 2024, a decrease from 2,844 cases in 2023 and 3,308 cases in 2022.
POCSO Cases Dominate
Offences under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act accounted for 1,784 cases, or 67% of the total, involving 1,794 child victims in 2024. Of these, over 1,700 cases were registered under stringent sections, including 943 cases (with 946 victims) under Sections 4 and 6, which deal with severe sexual assault. Section 4 prescribes punishment for penetrative sexual assault with imprisonment ranging from 10 years to life, while Section 6 covers aggravated penetrative sexual assault, with penalties ranging from 20 years to life imprisonment or death, particularly in cases involving children below 12 years.
Proportion of Crimes Against Children
The data reveals that crimes against children constituted 2.26% of all cognisable crimes in Andhra Pradesh in 2024. Although this proportion declined from around 3% in 2023, the figures indicate a continuing scale of offences against children. Among victims under Sections 4 and 6 of the POCSO Act, 942 were girls and four were boys in 2024.
Murder and Cybercrime Cases
The NCRB also recorded 36 cases of murder involving 43 child victims in the state in 2024, including four cases of murder with rape. Among states, Chhattisgarh reported the highest number of cybercrimes against children with 268 cases in 2024, while Andhra Pradesh reported 38 cases. A majority of these offences involved publishing or transmitting sexually explicit content involving children, highlighting the growing threat in online spaces and the need to prioritise child safety on digital platforms.
About the Author: Nalla Ram Babu is a Special Correspondent at the Times of India-Visakhapatnam. He reports on crime, rural development, road transport, Indian Navy, seafood industry, weather, research in agriculture, legal, civic issues, and data-driven stories. He holds a postgraduate degree in journalism and mass communication.
