Conviction rate in sexual abuse cases — including rape and molestation of children — remains as low as 3 per cent in Karnataka. And what is worse, only less than 5 per cent of the victims of atrocities receive any compensation at all from the government.
While this is shocking, the State’s record is a tad better than the national average, which stands at 2.8 per cent.
These findings are revealed by V.S. Ugrappa, MLC and the chairman of the Expert Committee on Prevention of Atrocities Against Women and Children on Thursday. The panel’s term ended on June 30.
Conviction rate is highest in Mysuru and Bagalkot, at 4 per cent each. At the lower end are districts such as Udupi at 1.7 per cent, Haveri at 1.6 per cent, and Kalaburagi and Bidar at 2 per cent each.
“This means only three out of every 100 accused in sexual abuse cases against women and minor children will ever spend even a single day in prison. The other 97 will scot-free, facing no consequences for the crime they have committed,” said Mr. Ugrappa.
No committeesAccording to the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013, all departments and industries hiring more than 10 people should constitute an internal grievances redressal committee headed by woman. However, more than 90 per cent of industries/departments have not constituted the committee, he said.
