In Rajasthan, young women are not safe at home

JAIPUR: In Rajasthan, a woman is not even safe at home. Rape or other forms of sexual assault by members of the family have been on an alarming rise. The recent National Crime Record Bureau (NCRB) data validates the trend that has shamed the state which has recorded the third highest number of incest-rape cases in the country. Capital Jaipur too made it to the top three cities with maximum cases of rape-incest being reported in 2012.The numbers are particularly high in the rural areas in the state.
In the last year, 44 cases of incest-rape were registered in Rajasthan, according to NCRB data. Maharashtra recorded 77 cases of incest-rape, the highest in the country, followed by Kerala with 47 such cases.
The top five states were rounded off by Chattisgarh and Uttarakhand which reported 30 and 14 cases of incest-rape respectively.
Young women in the state are the most vulnerable to sexual assaults as 21 victims were found to be in the age group of 18-30 years.
"With the urbanization boom, men are migrating to cities while women and girl stay alone at home. That makes them easy target for sexual assault. In the rural interiors, the police surveillance needs to be increased," said Rajaram, an activist working for woman rights organization in Bhilwara.
The situation in Jaipur is no better. Five cases of incest-rape were reported in the city in 2012. Bhopal and Mumbai registered seven cases each of similar assaults. Delhi reported the maximum number of such cases, a staggering 32.
"There has been a dip in the number of rape-incest cases in Jaipur compared to 2011 but we need to provide more safety to women and girls. Community policing could be an effective tool to curb incest crimes," said a senior police officer.
Dubious Distinction
State Number of cases registered
(In 2012)
Maharashtra 77
Kerala 47
Rajasthan 44
Chittisgarh 30
Uttarakhand 14
City Number of cases registered
(In 2012)
Delhi 32
Mumbai/Bhopal07
Jaipur 05
Nagpur/Chandigarh 04
Raipur 03