“There has been no comprehensive review of Pocso cases since the Act came into force. The government should ensure district-wise case assessments and release the data periodically,” said A Devaneyan, a child rights activist. He also advocated for a dedicated police wing for child-related cases and a designated officer, as done under the SC/ST Atrocities Act, to oversee investigations, expedite case resolutions and build stronger cases to prevent acquittals.

In 2022, while the state got 603 convictions, 1,626 cases ended in acquittals. In 2023, the number of convictions rose slightly to 655, but acquittals surged to 2,191. A former Mahila Court judge noted that the conviction rate drops as cases drag on. “For cases completed within a year, the conviction rate is 80%, but it declines with each passing year as victims and their families lose the will to fight,” the ex- judge said.

Activists said there is an urgent need to strengthen support for children in Pocso cases and implement preventive measures. This includes ensuring the effective functioning of Village-Level Child Protection Committees, improving coordination between departments, and engaging NGOs.

“In many cases, support persons are not assigned to children and their families. Having a support person ensures that families stay informed about legal proceedings and receive necessary assistance to expedite cases. The District Child Protection Unit, police, and prosecutors must collaborate to ensure these measures are properly implemented and monitored,” said Stegana Jency, Director of Centre for Child Rights and Development.

Activists also mentioned that while the Directorate of Child Welfare and Special Services had planned to facilitate the filing of appeals in higher courts by identifying two acquittal cases from each district, it is unclear whether the initiative is being implemented.

Asked about plans to increase the number of Pocso courts, a senior official said discussions are underway to analyse case volume in each jurisdiction and reassess requirements for additional courts. He added that the department is closely coordinating with the Pocso and Juvenile Justice Committees of the high court to facilitate district-level judicial reviews to improve convictions.

“Collectors were asked to monitor progress of Pocso cases. Efforts are being made to address gaps in investigation and prosecution to ensure cases are represented effectively in court. As part of this, training on forensics is being conducted for DCPOs and Special Juvenile Police Units,” the official said.

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