The number of women facing atrocities in Odisha is on the rise. At least 40 cases in this connection are being registered per day in the State, according to a report of the National Crime Record Bureau (NCRB).
What is more worrying is that while the number of cases is increasing every year, the conviction rate is considerably minimal. Around 14,606 criminal cases related to women atrocities were filed in the State in 2014 in which 14,606 women were victims.
Out of the States, Odisha is in the 10th spot in the list and the conviction rate in the cases is around 1/3rd of the national average. The accused are being acquitted in around 90 per cent of cases due to lack of evidence. last year, a total of 1,980 women were the victims of rape in the State. Besides, 33 and 2,455 cases were registered in connection with attempt to rape and kidnapping, respectively.
Also, 441 dowry-related deaths, 809 sexual exploitation and 5,580 sexual abuse cases were filed in 2014. As many as 2,014 cases were registered in connection with atrocities against women at workplaces and public transports.
Among the rape victims, 37 girls under 12-year-old age, more than 700 girls of 12-18-year-old age, 851 women of 18-30-year-old, 342 women between 30-45-year-old age and 28 women between 45-60-year-old age faced such situations.
In a number of cases, the accused have been identified as the victims’ relatives. In many cases, the victims’ father, brother and family persons have allegedly committed such heinous crime, reveals the report.