THRISSUR: Cybercrime and child sexual exploitation (POCSO) cases have doubled in Kerala in eight years. There were 2,131 POCSO cases in the state in 2016 and 4,641 in 2023. 2,180 cases have been registered till June this year.
The culprits are teachers, school vehicle drivers, family members who pamper children, domestic workers etc. There are also women among the accused. Only 283 cyber crimes were registered in 2016, compared to 3,155 last year.
Cases started increasing from 2020 (426 cases). The highest increase is in 2023. More than 20 percent are honeytrap cases.
Most of these are cases involving job offers and online loan scams. 1898 cases have been registered till June this year. Educating children at home and in schools about bad touch is the way to avoid abuse.
They can also be taught to speak out about it. Children must be taught not accept friend requests from strangers, not to chat with strangers and not to click on suspicious links, etc. Imprisonment and fine Under POCSO, the accused can be jailed for three years to life and fined.
Bad word, voice, gesture etc. are also offences. Honeytrap starts with a friend request from accounts having pictures of beautiful women.
The accused will establish a close friendship by chatting. Private scenes, conversations etc. will be recorded during video calls and money will be demanded.
POCSO Cases 2021...
.. 3516 2022.
...
. 4518 2023..
...
4641 Cyber cases 2021...
.. 626 2022.
...
. 723 2023..
...
3155.
