15 Daily Sexual Harassment Cases: Is Karnataka Failing Its Women on Safety and Justice?

Karnataka Reports Alarming Spike in Sexual Harassment Cases, Convictions Remain Rare

15 Cases Daily, Yet Justice Eludes Most Victims

Bengaluru — Karnataka is witnessing a disturbing rise in sexual harassment cases, with an average of 15 incidents reported each day in the first two months of 2025 alone. According to official data from the State Crime Records Bureau (SCRB), 901 cases of sexual harassment and 78 instances of eve-teasing were registered between January and February.

This surge in complaints has intensified public concern over women’s safety, particularly in urban areas. However, despite the volume of reported cases, conviction rates remain dismally low. In 2024, the state registered 6,319 cases of sexual harassment. Out of these, only nine resulted in convictions — a stark reminder of the systemic challenges in addressing gender-based crimes.

Thousands of Cases Languish in Courts and Police Stations

The backlog in the justice system further highlights the crisis. As of the latest data, 3,908 cases remain under trial, 1,734 are still under investigation, and 45 have gone untraced.

Women’s rights activist K.S. Vimala of the Janawadi Mahila Sanghatane criticized the state’s handling of such cases. “The actual number of incidents is likely much higher. Many women choose not to report them due to stigma, fear, and lack of faith in the system,” she said.

Insensitive Policing and Inadequate Prevention Measures

Vimala pointed to the insensitivity of police officers when victims attempt to file complaints. “They are often asked why they were out at night or alone, which discourages them from pursuing justice,” she said, emphasizing that harassment can occur at any time of day.

She urged the government to step up preventive measures, such as enhancing police patrols and installing CCTV cameras in vulnerable areas. Vimala also criticized the State Women’s Commission for its lack of proactive initiatives and called for a stronger institutional response. “The low conviction rate sends a dangerous message — that perpetrators can act with impunity,” she said.

The growing number of cases and stagnant prosecution outcomes underscore the urgent need for legal reform, better policing, and institutional accountability to safeguard women across Karnataka.

🔹 Statements / Quotes

• K.S. Vimala, women’s rights activist:
  “The system is failing survivors. Low conviction rates only embolden perpetrators and silence victims.”

• “Sexual harassment isn’t confined to late nights or empty streets — it happens in broad daylight, on crowded buses, in schools, in workplaces.”

• “When police officers question a woman’s choices instead of the crime, justice is already derailed.”

• “The State Women’s Commission must do more than just release statements — it must act.”

🔹 Q&A Snippets

Q: Why are conviction rates for sexual harassment so low in Karnataka?
A: Systemic delays, insensitive handling by authorities, and a lack of support structures for survivors contribute to the dismal conviction rate — only 9 convictions out of over 6,000 cases filed in 2024.

Q: Are these numbers the full picture?
A: Likely not. Activists believe many cases go unreported due to fear, social stigma, and distrust in the legal system.

Q: What changes are being demanded?
A: Increased police sensitivity, better survivor support, more CCTV surveillance in vulnerable areas, and an overhaul of how the justice system handles such cases.

#JusticeForSurvivors #StopSexualHarassment #KarnatakaSafetyCrisis #ListenToWomen #EndVictimBlaming #ReformTheSystem #WomenDeserveSafety