WHO ARE THEY? A CLOSER LOOK AT ACCUSED IN POCSO CASES.

Abstract

Background: The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012 was enacted to safeguard children from sexual abuse and exploitation. While considerable attention has been directed toward victims, limited research has focused on the characteristics of individuals accused under the Act. Understanding the socio-demographic, behavioral, psychological, and legal awareness profiles of accused persons is essential for developing preventive and rehabilitative strategies. Aim: To study the socio-demographic profile, behavioral characteristics, mental health status, and legal awareness among individuals accused under the POCSO Act. Materials and Methods: A hospital-based observational analytical cross-sectional study was conducted in the Department of Forensic Medicine, Bidar Institute of Medical Sciences, Bidar, Karnataka, from January 2024 to December 2025. A total of 60 accused individuals fulfilling the inclusion criteria were enrolled. Data were collected using a structured proforma, interviews, medico-legal records, police documents, and psychiatric assessments. Variables included socio-demographic characteristics, substance use, criminal history, personality traits, mental health status, victim-offender relationship, and awareness regarding the POCSO Act. Data were analyzed using SPSS software. Descriptive statistics, Chi-square test, and Student’s t-test were applied, with p<0.05 considered statistically significant. Results: The mean age of accused persons was 28.7 ± 8.6 years. Most accused were males (96.7%), from rural areas (61.7%), unmarried (56.7%), and belonged to low socioeconomic class (68.3%). Education up to secondary level or below was observed in 65.0% of participants. The victim was known to the accused in 78.3% of cases. Substance use was present in 51.7% of accused, while psychiatric abnormalities were identified in 28.3%. Previous criminal history was present in 21.7% and antisocial personality traits in 25.0% of participants. Poor awareness regarding the POCSO Act was observed in 70.0% of accused, and only 13.3% reported prior exposure to legal awareness programs. Conclusion: Individuals accused under the POCSO Act were predominantly young adult males from socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds with limited education and poor legal awareness. A substantial proportion demonstrated behavioral and psychological risk factors, including substance use, psychiatric illness, and antisocial traits. The findings highlight the importance of legal literacy initiatives, community awareness programs, behavioral interventions, and mental health assessment in efforts to prevent child sexual abuse and strengthen child protection mechanisms