Sexual abuse of boys: 62 POCSO cases recorded in Telangana in nine months

The number of recorded cases of sexual abuse against boys under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act in Telangana has risen sharply over the past nine months, official data show. From July 2023 to March 2024, the state recorded 62 POCSO cases involving male children, bringing the total number of boy victims since the start of 2024 to 127. The figures, released by the Telangana State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (TSCPCR) in a press briefing on Thursday, underscore a growing concern among child welfare authorities that abuse against boys remains vastly under‑reported.The TSCPCR’s quarterly report attributes the surge partly to increased awareness campaigns and a more robust reporting mechanism introduced by the state government in late 2022..

“We have intensified outreach in schools, anganwadis and community centres, and trained teachers and health workers to identify signs of abuse,” said commission member Dr. Raghavendra, a child psychologist. “These steps have undoubtedly led to more victims coming forward, but they also highlight the depth of a problem that has long been hidden.”Despite the apparent rise in reported cases, officials warn that the statistics only capture a fraction of the true scale of abuse..

A survey conducted by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) in 2023 estimated that up to 70 per cent of child sexual abuse incidents in India go unreported, with even higher rates for male victims due to entrenched social stigma. In Telangana, the commission’s own field officers have observed families reluctant to approach law enforcement, fearing damage to the family’s reputation and the perceived loss of ‘family prestige’.“Many fathers fear that admitting a son has been abused will bring shame on the household, affect marriage prospects, and even lead to ostracisation within the community,” explained Raghavendra. “Consequently, they either conceal the abuse or seek private settlement, which is illegal under the POCSO Act but still occurs in practice.” The commission’s data reveals that of the 62 cases recorded, 18 were resolved through mediation or out‑of‑court settlements, a trend that legal experts say undermines the deterrent effect of the law.Legal advocacy groups have criticised the reliance on mediation in such cases..

“POCSO is a strict liability offence; it does not permit any form of compromise,” said Advocate Ananya Sharma, who represents several child survivors. “The fact that families are still resorting to informal settlements indicates a failure of the system to provide adequate support and protection to victims and their families.” Sharma added that the fear of social ostracism is compounded by a lack of counseling services, especially in rural districts where most of the reported cases originate.The state government, acknowledging these gaps, announced a multi‑pronged strategy in a budget speech earlier this year. The plan includes the establishment of 50 new child protection units in police stations, the recruitment of 200 dedicated child welfare officers, and the launch of a 24‑hour helpline specifically for male child victims..

Additionally, the government has earmarked ₹150 crore for training police personnel in trauma‑informed interrogation techniques and for setting up child‑friendly courts in each district.Human rights organisations, however, caution that funding alone will not resolve the cultural barriers that prevent boys from speaking out. “Changing mindsets is a long‑term process,” said Meera Nair, director of the NGO Safeguard Children. “Community leaders, religious figures and teachers must be engaged in a dialogue that de‑stigmatises male victimhood and reinforces that protecting a child’s dignity outweighs any perceived loss of prestige.” Nair’s NGO has piloted a series of workshops in the districts of Karimnagar and Warangal, reporting a modest increase in disclosures after community elders publicly endorsed the initiatives.Data from the TSCPCR also reveal a disturbing pattern in the profile of perpetrators..

In 38 of the 62 recorded cases, the accused were relatives or close family friends, a factor that often deters victims from reporting abuse. “When the abuser is someone the child trusts, the trauma is deeper and the barriers to disclosure higher,” noted Dr. “Our interventions must therefore focus on safeguarding environments within homes as well as public spaces.”The rise in reported cases has prompted the state’s judiciary to expedite POCSO trials..

The Hyderabad High Court, in a recent judgment, ordered that all POCSO cases involving male victims be heard within 90 days of filing, citing the need for swift justice to mitigate the long‑term psychological impact on the survivors. The court also directed that any settlement attempts be dismissed outright, reinforcing the non‑compromisable nature of the offence.While the numbers signal a growing willingness to confront the issue, advocates stress that the ultimate measure of success will be a decline in incidents, not merely an increase in reports. “We must move from a reactive model to a preventative one,” argued Sharma..

“This entails comprehensive sex education, robust child safeguarding policies in schools, and a societal shift that recognises boys as equally vulnerable to sexual abuse.” The commission’s upcoming annual report is expected to include recommendations on integrating such preventive measures into the state’s education curriculum.As Telangana grapples with the dual challenges of encouraging reporting and dismantling the cultural taboos that silence male victims, the coming months will test the efficacy of the newly announced reforms. The convergence of legal, administrative and community‑driven efforts offers a tentative roadmap, but the path to ensuring safety and justice for all children, irrespective of gender, remains fraught with obstacles that demand sustained attention and resources..