Analysis of cases examined under POCSO Act: A retrospective record-based study in a tertiary care hospital of Northeast India

Background:The constant increase in the crime rate of sexual offences against children every year is immensely unsettling and alarming, and it is only the tip of the iceberg, as many cases are underreported.This study has been taken up to analyse the cases examined under the POCSO Act to find out the profiles of the survivors and assailants, as well as the associated findings in such cases to assess the factors related to such crimes.Materials and Methods: A retrospective record-based study was carried out on cases brought for medico-legal examination in the clinical section of the Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology under the POCSO Act from October 2023 to September 2024 (1 year).Descriptive statistics were used to analyse victim demographics, literacy, sexual acts, reporting patterns, and accused-victim relationships.Results: Out of the total 48 cases, 58.33% were between the ages of 13 and 18, and 52.08% were found to be consensual sex, with among these, 37.5% involved elopement, with the parents/guardians filing cases under the POCSO Act.Most of the accused were known to the survivor (56.16%).The commonest place of assault was the survivor's house (25%).And 47.9% of the cases were medicolegally examined after 1 week of incidence.Injuries to the labia minora were observed in 56.25% of cases, and in 29.16% of cases in the fourchette and introitus.In 12.5% of the cases, the assailant was under the influence of alcohol.There were 50% of repeat offences, and pregnancy of the survivor was present in 6.25% of cases.Exposure to pornography was observed in 4.16% of cases.Conclusion: It may be concluded that a significant portion of the cases were consensual, and elopement was a common factor leading to legal action from the parents/guardians.Most perpetrators were acquaintances of the survivors, and incidents predominantly occurred at the survivors' homes, with delayed medical examinations often conducted.