109 per cent rise in sexual harassment cases in 1 year: TN govt report

The Tamil Nadu Home Department’s Policy Note for 2025-2026, presented by Chief Minister MK Stalin in the Assembly on Monday (April 28), revealed a troubling rise in crimes against women and children in the state.

The data given out in the policy note for the Police Department shows a steady increase in cases of rape, sexual harassment, molestation, and crimes under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act from 2022 to 2024.

Rise in rape cases

In 2022, Tamil Nadu recorded 442 rape cases, which dropped 8.1 per cent to 406 in 2023. However, 2024 saw a sharp rise to 471 cases, a 16 per cent jump from 2023 and a 6.6 per cent increase from 2022.

The increase could be due to more victims coming forward, thanks to awareness campaigns and the presence of 244 All-Women Police Stations (AWPS) across the state. But it also suggests that preventive measures are not keeping pace with the problem.

Also Read: Tamil Nadu | 3 school teachers arrested for sexual assault on student

Sexual harassment cases show an even more alarming trend. Fifty-eight cases were reported in 2022, which fell 20.7 per cent to 46 in 2023. However, 2024 recorded 96 cases, a staggering 108.7 per cent rise from 2023 and 65.5 per cent higher than 2022.

Increased harassment

This sharp spike indicates that women are increasingly facing harassment in public spaces, workplaces, or online. The rise may again reflect better reporting, but it also points to gaps in creating safe environments.

For instance, while the police have introduced initiatives like the Safe City Project with pink scooters for patrolling, these efforts have not yet curbed the growing number of incidents.

Molestation cases are also on the rise, adding to the concerns. In 2022, there were 1,414 reported cases, which increased 16.7 per cent to 1,650 in 2023. By 2024, the number reached 1,885, a 14.2 per cent increase from 2023 and a 33.3 per cent jump from 2022.

Also Read: Watching, downloading child pornography are offences under POCSO Act, IT law: SC

This steady climb shows that women and girls continue to face advances and assaults, often in public transport or neighborhoods. The police have been proactive in some areas, such as installing CCTV cameras to deter crime. However, the rising numbers suggest that more needs to be done to change societal attitudes and enforce stricter penalties.

Crimes against children

However, the most concerning data comes from crimes against children under the POCSO Act, which covers sexual offences against minors. In 2022, Tamil Nadu reported 4,968 POCSO cases, which decreased 7.8 per cent to 4,581 in 2023. But, in 2024, the number surged to 6,969 cases, a 52.1 per cent increase from 2023 and 40.3 per cent from 2022.

Within this, rape cases under POCSO jumped from 3,620 in 2022 to 3,407 in 2023, and then to 5,319 in 2024 — a 56.1 per cent rise from 2023. Other POCSO offences, like sexual assault or harassment, also increased, from 1,348 cases in 2022 to 1,650 in 2024.

This alarming spike in 2024 suggests that children, especially girls, are increasingly at risk. The rise could once again be partly due to better reporting, as the police have trained over 33,000 women and children in awareness and self-defence in Chennai. Yet, the sheer volume of cases calls for urgent action to protect children.

Also Read: AIADMK protests against sexual crimes in TN

What it means for TN

What do these numbers mean for Tamil Nadu? On the brighter side, the increasing number of cases can be attributed to victims being more willing to report such crimes. On the other hand, it shows that the preventive measures taken up by the police are inadequate.

The police have improved their response, with 40 per cent of crimes-against-women cases being charge-sheeted in 2024, up from 36.1 per cent in 2022. However, over 55 per cent of these cases remain under investigation each year, indicating delays in delivering justice.

For POCSO cases, the high numbers suggest that schools, communities, and online spaces need stronger safeguards to protect children.

'Conviction rate low'

Prominent child activist Devaneyan Arasu expressed deep concern over these trends. “Compared to states like Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu’s reporting of crimes against children has improved, but the conviction rate is alarmingly low at around 20 per cent,"Arasu told The Federal.

"If the police register 1,000 cases, only about 10 result in convictions. This is deeply worrying. We must connect crimes like child marriage and teenage pregnancy to sexual offenses," he added.

He argued that crimes like child marriage and teenage pregnancy should be linked to sexual offences, pointing out that over 12,000 child marriages and 11,000 teenage pregnancies occur annually in Tamil Nadu, contributing to higher POCSO cases.

"Yet, no one is linking these issues, including data from Childline, to address the root causes," he rued.

Also Read: Chennai IPS officer suspended over claims of sexual harassment; wife alleges foul play

Government measures

The Tamil Nadu government has taken steps to address these issues. The Victim Compensation Scheme provided Rs 5.18 crore to 214 victims in 2024–2025, offering financial relief.

Programmes like “Drug-Free Tamil Nadu” and anti-drug clubs in schools aim to reduce vulnerabilities that can lead to crime. The police are also using technologies, such as Automatic Number Plate Recognition cameras and face recognition software, to catch offenders. Yet, the rising crime rates show that these efforts are not enough.

"To tackle this crisis, Tamil Nadu needs a multi-pronged approach," leading child activist K Shanmugavelayutham told The Federal.

"First, the police must speed up investigations and ensure swift prosecutions to deter criminals. Second, schools and colleges should teach respect and gender equality to change mindsets from a young age.

"Third, communities must work together to create safe spaces, with more street lighting, patrols, and helplines. Finally, the government should run more campaigns to educate people about reporting crimes and seeking help."