Kerala to Become First State in India to Have a Public Registry of Sex Offenders
Would a sex offenders registry help prevent crimes related to sexual violence? Kerala is set to test the waters.
In an unprecedented move, Kerala is set to become the first state in the country to have a public registry of sex offenders. While such lists exist in countries like the United States and Ireland, this would be the first time that names of sex offenders from a particular region in India will be in the public domain.
The announcement was made by Governor P Sathasivam while speaking at the opening day of the Budget session in the Kerala Assembly. A report from Scroll has quoted him as saying, “To ensure deterrence, my government will set up a sex offenders’ registry, which will maintain all identification details of sex offenders. It will be kept in the public domain.”
At present, it has not been made clear if the names on the list will be that of convicted felons or people who have been charged with sexual violence. Sathasivam also did not make it clear as to when the registry would be set up.
In the past few days, the state has been reeling from news of a popular actress being abducted and sexually assaulted in a moving car in Kochi.
The governor also announced a slew of measures to combat sexual assault in the region that includes a victim relief fund as well as a department specially dedicated to women’s safety.
Image for representation. Photo source: Facebook
Apart from the announcement made by the government in Kerala, there has also been a citizen-led effort to urge the Union government to initiate such a registry on a national level. A change.org petition currently has over 59,000 signatures calling for a sex offenders registry.
You may also like: These 10 Powerful Images Shut down All Who Blame Women’s Clothes for Sexual Assault
With many of the details yet to emerge, it is still too soon to tell if such a list would help prevent sexual crimes against all genders or even be misused. We would love to hear from our readers on thoughts regarding this initiative. Would you want this to be instated nationally?
Let us know!
Like this story? Or have something to share? Write to us: [email protected], or connect with us on Facebook and Twitter.
NEW: Click here to get positive news on WhatsApp!
Similar Story
‘I Failed But Didn’t Stop’: Kerala Teacher Helps Aspirants with Disabilities Crack UPSC for Free
Once a UPSC aspirant, Kerala’s Jobin S Kottaram helps students and aspirants with motor disabilities crack the examination for free. He says his aim is to increase their representation in leadership roles.
Read more >
If you found our stories insightful, informative, or even just enjoyable, we invite you to consider making a voluntary payment to support the work we do at The Better India. Your contribution helps us continue producing quality content that educates, inspires, and drives positive change.
Choose one of the payment options below for your contribution-
By paying for the stories you value, you directly contribute to sustaining our efforts focused on making a difference in the world. Together, let's ensure that impactful stories continue to be told and shared, enriching lives and communities alike.
Thank you for your support. Here are some frequently asked questions you might find helpful to know why you are contributing?
This story made me
-
97 -
121 -
89 -
167
Home
Read
Watch
Contribute
