In 95% cases of culprits known to rape victims: Crime Bureau

In almost 95 out of every 100 cases of rape registered in the country last year, the culprits were known to their victims, according to a report by the National Crime Record Bureau (NCRB).

The report titled "Crime In India 2013" says that a total of 33,707 cases of rape were registered in the country under Section 376 of IPC in the year and in 31,807 cases (94.4%) the culprits were known to their victims.

While in 33.9% of cases the accused were neighbours, in 7.3% cases the accused were related to their victims.

According to the report, the cases of "incest rapes" too are on rise with 536 cases being registered in 2013 compared to 392 in 2012, which is an increase of 37%.

Shockingly, most of the victims are in the age group of 10-18 years, the report said.

Expressing concern over the rising crime against women, former Governor of Himachal Pradesh and Justice (retd) VS Kokje of the Rajasthan High Court told PTI today that the increase in cases of rapes by acquaintances is an indication of greater social malice.

"This situation cannot be dealt with merely by enacting laws. Society has to take strong initiatives to deal with this situation," he said.

According to psychiatrist Dr Deepak Mansharamani, the easy availability of sexually explicit literature and audio-video, especially through the internet and social media, is fanning the suppressed sexual urge of men in society.

"This urge for immediate gratification of sex continuously sends signals to one's mind and (as a result) that person does not hesitate in breaching the trust of the woman concerned," he said.