Of 395 rape cases recorded in 42 Women and Children Service Centers of Nepal Police, 265 involved girls below the age of 16. Of those below 16 years of age, 56 were below seven years, 100 were between eight and 12, and 109 were between 13 to 16. The cases were recorded during the 2007/2008 fiscal year.
“We have recorded the cases where girls have suffered for years,” said Durga Singh, deputy superintendent of police, while presenting the report at a program run by non-government organization Children-Women in Social Service and Human Rights.
Singh said parents often only come to know their daughter has been abused once her body changes through pregnancy as a result of the rape. “Most pathetic is that the limited time of 35 days to register the case of rape is already passed in such cases,” Singh added.
She also said those charged with the crime are often close relatives with whom children spend much time. There are several cases where stepfathers are found guilty, she said.
Children in foster care, adopted, or are mentally or physically challenged are the ones who face such incidents. Similarly, the report said children with a history of abuse, children of single parents, from broken homes, and those isolated from society were found to be much more vulnerable.
Those charged with rape are generally youths aged between 17 and 25 years. Of the total offenders, 298 were unmarried, while 126 were married.
Further statistics show that most rapes occur on a Sunday. Accounting for 144 cases, the most vulnerable time is between noon and 6:00pm. Ninety incidents occurred between 6:00pm and midnight, while 90 took place between 6:00 am and mid–afternoon. Fifty-six cases took place between midnight and early morning.
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