SRINAGAR: A seminary tutor has been booked on accusations of assault on minors in Sopore area of the Baramulla district, a police official said.    The police official told news agency Kashmir Scroll that on receipt of a complaint regarding the...

SRINAGAR: Police have arrested a person who allegedly molested a female student in his vehicle in Central Kashmir’s Budgam district. The victim student had accepted the lift from an unknown driver while on way to her coaching classes. Police in...

SRINAGAR: Police on tuesday claimed to have arrested a person accused in sexual Harassment against a girl in central Kashmir’s Budgam district. In a handout to GNS, the police said that, in response to a distressing incident reported on 29th...

SRINAGAR: A teacher accused of sexual harassment and was evading arrest has been held in Kishtwar on Friday. Reliable Sources confirmed that an accused teacher in sexual harassment case who evading arrested, was today arrested at Kishtwar police. They said...

The recent rise in sexual assault cases mostly against minors in Kashmir is a grave concern for society. It is a matter of shame that the region with multi-dimensional complexities is now grappling with such heinous crimes on a routine basis. According to some official reports, there has been a significant increase in the number of cases of sexual assault against minors in the Valley over the past few years. This is a cause of serious concern and requires immediate attention and action. Sexual assault is a heinous crime and a violation of human rights. It is a threat to the safety and well-being of society and the perpetrators must be brought to justice. In the case of minors, the effects of sexual assault can be more severe, as they are vulnerable and unable to defend themselves against such crimes. There are many reasons for the increase in sexual assault cases against minors in Kashmir. One of the reasons is the lack of awareness about sexual assault and its consequences. Many people in the region are not aware of the laws related to sexual assault, and this lack of knowledge makes it easier for perpetrators to do such crimes. Another reason is the lack of strict punishment for sexual assault cases. In many cases, the perpetrators are not punished severely, and this sends a wrong message to society. It encourages others to continue doing such crimes, knowing that they can get away with it. It is also important to note that sexual assault cases are often not reported in the region. Many victims and their families choose to remain silent, fearing social stigma and retaliation. This further emboldens the perpetrators, who feel that they can continue to do so without having to face consequences. There is a need for awareness campaigns about sexual assault and its consequences. This can be done through schools, colleges, and community centers. These campaigns should focus on educating people about the laws related to sexual assault, and the importance of reporting such cases. There is also a need for stricter punishment for sexual assault cases. The government should ensure that the perpetrators are punished severely, and there is no leniency in such cases. This will send a strong message that such crimes will not be tolerated at any cost, and will act as a deterrent to potential perpetrators. Moreover, there is a need for a supportive environment for victims of sexual assault. This can be achieved through counseling services and support groups. Victims and their families should be encouraged to come forward and report such crimes, and they should be provided with the necessary support and assistance without having to disclose their identity and expose family’s apprehensions. Media also need to take a better approach in reporting such sensitive issues. Addressing sexual assault in Kashmir would require a comprehensive approach that tackles the underlying structural and cultural factors contributing to the problem including Stigma and shame, patriarchal attitudes, and inadequate legal protections. There is a need to increase education and awareness, strengthen legal protections, and promote women's rights equally. It is only through such measures that we can ensure a safe and secure society for our children.