Bhubaneswar: Nearly 28,000 women and children were victims of atrocities in Odisha over 11 months, from January 1, 2024, to January 31, 2025, Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida informed the state Assembly on Saturday.
Responding to a query from BJD MLA Sanjib Kumar Mallick, Parida, who heads the Women and Child Development Department, cited data from the Crime Against Women and Children Wing of the Home Department. She revealed that 27,973 cases of atrocities against women and children were recorded during this period.
Jajpur district reported the highest number of cases, with 2,099 incidents, followed by Ganjam police district (1,823), Mayurbhanj (1,573), Bhadrak (1,371), Balasore (1,305), and Keonjhar (1,329). Other districts with significant cases include Dhenkanal (1,110), Cuttack (1,102), Jagatsinghpur (1,201), and Cuttack Urban police district (1,089).
To combat crimes against women and children, the Odisha government has implemented several measures, including the establishment of Special Juvenile Police Units (SJPU), Investigative Units on Crime Against Women (IUCAWs), Mahila and Sishu desks, and Integrated Anti-Human Trafficking Units (IAHTU).
Additionally, 34 child-friendly police stations have been set up, along with emergency helpline numbers for immediate assistance: 112 (women), 1098 (children), 1930 (cybercrime), and 18004191813 (Sampark helpline).
