A Study of Socio-Demographic Profile of Persons Accused Under POCSO Act 2012

AUTHOR(s) : Chowdhuri Soumeek, Mukhopadhayay Parthapratim
DOI No. : 09.2016-52829658

ABSTRACT :
To deal with child sexual abuse cases, the Government has brought in a special law, namely, “The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act” 2012. In this scenario it was thought imperative that a study be conducted to study the socio demographic profile of the persons accused of assault under this act. The age was normally distributed in the population was seen using Q-Q plot and Shapiro Wilk test. The mean age of the accused was 28.62 years. The minimum age was 13 years and maximum age was 64 years. The majority 78% was illiterate or just literate. A majority of accused were involved in multiple casual sexual relationships. There was relationship of exposure to casual multiple sexual encounters which showed two peaks one below 20 years and another over 40 years. An occasional intake of alcohol was seen in 72% cases compared to regular drinkers being 20%. Exposure to pornography was seen in overwhelming 78% cases. This exposure showed more numbers in persons below 25 years, when the exposure to pornography was cross-tabulated with history of exposure to multiple casual sexual relationships. However, chi-square test done with the same factors did not show a significant association (p value not significant). In view of the high prevalence of rape, prevention strategies need to focus on the structural and social risk factors, and prevention of perpetration of rape from ever occurring, rather than relying on prevention through responses.

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