1Assistant Professor, Department of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology, Veer Surendra Sai Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, Burla, Odisha, E Mail: pereiseema@yahoo.in
The paper examines the trend and pattern of sexual offences in Western Odisha. [covers ten districts of the state along with some portions of Athamalik and Angul. The districts are-Sambalpur, Bargarh, Jharsuguda, Sundergarh, Deogarh, Balangir, Sonepur, Kalahandi, Nuapada and Boudh] Data on various types of sexual offences were collected from the department records from 2007 to 2015. The cases include children as well as adult female victims. The variables considered for discussion are-age of the victim, marital status, relation with the accused, bodily and genital injury, consent of the victim, place and time of occurrence, education level of victim and occupation of accused. Observations: Initially, the number of sexual offences declined from 20 in 2007 to 2 in 2010, then it increased to 25 in 2015, i.e. the finding suggests that sexual offences in Western Odisha increased over a period of time. Further, was observed that 92.2% of the offences occurred in unmarried females and in 57%, without consent. 8%, 17% and 57% of the offences occurred against children, victims of less than 12 years and less than 18 years of age, respectively. There was a strong relationship between age group and sexual offencesfemales of the age group 13 to 18 years are more prone to sexual/sex linked offences. Bodily injuries occurredin cases of ‘without consent'; bodily injuries were inversely related with age.
Female Victim, Accused, Sex crime, Western Odisha
