As rape cases in city rise 20%, role of social media in focus

Bhopal: The city is sitting on a powder keg with regards to women’s safety, as rape cases in the state capital went up by a staggering 20 percent in 2025 from the previous, according to police files and records.

Even as the numbers spawn fresh concern, social activists have flagged a bigger danger — the growing role of social media in crimes against women and children — saying online friendships are increasingly proving to be a cover for exploitation and sexual offences.According to police data, as many as 367 rape cases were registered in 2025, a 20% increase from 305 in 2024. Between January and May this year, 167 rape cases were reported, slightly higher than the 164 registered during the corresponding period last year.While the increase in such cases in the first five months of this year is marginal, activists said the steady rise in incidents of rape was worrying, pointing out that one case each of rape and molestation, on an average, were reported every day in the state capital.Pocso cases on riseCases registered under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso) Act, for rape on minors, were still on the higher side despite a slight dip this year.

Police registered 90 Pocso cases between January and May 2025, an increase of over 8 percent compared to 83 cases during the same period in 2024.As many as 84 cases have been registered till May, this year, while cases of molestation have dropped 7 percent from those registered the previous year. According to city police records, 155 molestation cases were registered between January and May, this year.‘Social media a common factor’Social activists said a significant percentage of crimes against women in the city now have a social media connection, with victims, in most such cases, believed to have come into contact with the accused through online platforms.They said in many cases, friendships on social media often develop into relationships, after which women and girls are allegedly subjected to harassment, exploitation or sexual offences. They added that the influence of social media is not limited to girls alone, as teenage boys and young men are also increasingly being tricked into online relationships, often ending in criminal incidents.Former Childline director and social worker, Archana Sahai, said her reading of crimes against women and children in the state capital suggests a prominent role of social media platforms in a significant number of cases.“Nearly 60 percent of the cases we have analysed have some link to social media. Young girls, adolescents and even minors are being targeted through online platforms. In many Pocso cases, children were influenced through social media interactions,” she told TOI.She said offenders often conceal their identity, age and intentions while befriending victims online. “Children do not know who they are interacting with.

People use fake identities and lie about their age to gain trust. The friendship later morphs into harassment, exploitation or other crimes,” the social worker said, adding that social media was also casting a dark shadow on family relationships.“In several cases, girls become so influenced by interactions with their social media friends that they even stop listening to their parents. We are also seeing an increase in incidents where children stopped studying and ran away from their homes after coming under the influence of people they met online,” she said.She urged parents to educate children before giving them smartphones. “Parents must explain the risks associated with social media and teach children how to protect themselves while browsing online platforms. They should discuss the consequences of interacting with strangers and entering into inappropriate relationships,” the activist said, advocating cyber safety awareness programmes in schools.Awareness behind higher reporting of casesA senior officer said Bhopal Police Commissionerate has undertaken several awareness initiatives focusing on crimes against women and children, leading to greater reporting of cases.“Improved access to justice and increased awareness have encouraged more victims to approach police. Whether it is women-related offences or crimes against children, reporting has increased because people are more aware of their rights now,” the officer said, adding that police teams regularly visit government and private schools to educate children about good touch, bad touch, cyber safety and reporting mechanisms.Senior officers, including the police commissioner, also conduct ‘Jan Samvad’ (public outreach) programmes across the city to spread awareness on such crimes.‘Most accused known to victims’Another senior officer said in the majority of crimes against women and children, the accused were known to the victims, highlighting the need for greater vigilance within families and social circles.City Police commissioner Sanjay Kumar said his personnel are regularly sensitised on ways to handle crimes against women and children.

“We conduct periodic training programmes for investigating officers, especially for offences involving women and minors, to ensure that such cases are handled with sensitivity,” the city police top boss said.He said the police also hold regular awareness programmes to educate children about good touch and bad touch, helping them detect inappropriate behaviour and report it. “The objective is to empower children to identify unsafe situations, resist them and inform trusted adults or the police,” he said.Kumar also urged citizens to report such offences promptly through the women and child helplines or by dialling 112, saying timely reporting of crimes helps in swift police intervention.