Data records 100% spike in cases of child porn, govt eyes system to stem surge | Latest News India - Hindustan Times
close_game
close_game

Data records 100% spike in cases of child porn, govt eyes system to stem surge

New Delhi, Hindustan Times | By
Dec 28, 2016 12:34 AM IST

The government is considering developing an institutional mechanism to tackle online child pornography in the country, which has recorded an alarming surge with official data showing 100% increase in cases during 2013-2014.

The government is considering developing an institutional mechanism to tackle online child pornography in the country, which has recorded an alarming surge with official data showing 100% increase in cases during 2013-2014.

Official data shows a 100% increase in online child pornography cases between 2013-2014. A 2007 government survey report said 4.46% of 12,000 kids had been photographed in the nude.(Shutterstock)
Official data shows a 100% increase in online child pornography cases between 2013-2014. A 2007 government survey report said 4.46% of 12,000 kids had been photographed in the nude.(Shutterstock)

The Union women and child development ministry has set up a group, called National Alliance Against Child Sexual Abuse, to recommend measures to deal with such cases.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

“For the first time the government is taking notice of the severity of the problem. Child pornography has to be dealt seriously. We need to institutionalise our defences against child pornography,” women and child welfare minister Maneka Gandhi said.

The group, comprising representatives from the government, NGOs, law-enforcement agencies and social media, will meet on January 16.

The country’s doesn’t have an institutional mechanism, though National Crime Records Bureau data say there has been a 100% spike in the number of cases filed under “publication and transmission of obscene” material, including child sexual abuse, between 2013 and 2014.

There is no accurate data on the number of children being exploited in pornographic material — either being forced to show their sexual organs or made to engage in sexual acts — but a 2007 government survey report say 4.46% of 12,000 kids had been photographed in the nude.

Read | Child porn sites blocked, action on others soon: Centre tells SC

“Even if an internet user stumbles upon a child sexual abuse image in India and reports it, there is no specialised expertise in the country to take down images as many of them are hosted in servers located outside India. Currently, there is no way to block the content from India,” said Uma Subramanian, founder and co-director of the Aarambh India, a joint initiative of ADM Capital Foundation and Prerana, an anti-trafficking NGO.

The website, www.aarambhindia.org, hosts India’s first online hotline for reporting child pronography.

In August, the women and child development ministry launched “e-box” – an online complaint box with www.ncpcr.gov.in, where any child can report sexual harassment or abuse in school, home or elsewhere.

“But if someone reports a child sexual abuse image hosted on some site, there is not much the ministry can do except lodging a police complaint,” said an official.

Subramaniam’s organisation has joined hands with the UK-based Internet Watch Foundation (IWF), an industry self-regulatory body for removing child porn.

“As and when a report is made on the India hotline, technical experts from IWF team assesses it and based on the criminality of the content takes it down, blocks the URL and removes it from cyberspace. Through the international network with Interpol, law-enforcement agencies start their investigation to catch those involved,” Subramanian said.

Also read | Online intermediaries should be held responsible for sharing offensive content

Unveiling Elections 2024: The Big Picture', a fresh segment in HT's talk show 'The Interview with Kumkum Chadha', where leaders across the political spectrum discuss the upcoming general elections. Watch now!

Get Current Updates on India News, Election 2024, Mukhtar Ansari Death News Live, Bihar Board 10th Result 2024 Live along with Latest News and Top Headlines from India and around the world.
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Share this article
SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
OPEN APP
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Friday, March 29, 2024
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On