Disgusting, but true! At least 24 women were molested every day in Madhya Pradesh from January to July this year, if official statistics are to be believed.
Disgusting, but true! At least 24 women were molested every day in Madhya Pradesh from January to July this year, if official statistics are to be believed.
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In total, more than 5,000 cases of sexual harassment, which are registered under the category of molestation, were reported in the first seven months, the statistics said.
In sharp contrast, the average was barely 19 cases per day last year.
A month-wise comparison of the data shows far more troubling realities. As many as 714 cases of harassment were reported in January, while another 708 were registered in February. In March, however, it shot up to 852. From the same period, the figures last year were 583 in January, 583 in February and 671 in March. Overall, 7,007 cases were registered in 2012.
There is more bad news.
Incidents of rapes have also increased sharply this year. While 3,425 rape cases were reported last year, this year’s number stood at 2,491 -- 11.86 cases every day -- in the first seven months alone.
The police, however, attributed the rise in number of complaints to awareness about crime against women. They said more and more people are now willing to come out in the open against sexual harassment and file an FIR.
Director-general of police Nandan Dube said all the complaints that reached the police were being registered and this is the reason for rise in figures.
Besides, quick action taken by the cops to get justice for the victims also helped people repose their faith in police, he added.