Hyderabad: FIRs registered for child sexual abuse in Telangana rose by 2,000% this year, said Shikha Goel, director of the Telangana Cyber Security Bureau (TGCSB).Speaking at the Masoom Summit 2025, Abhayam: Let Every Child Live Without Fear, hosted by the Young Indians (Yi) and the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) on Saturday, she highlighted that the surge reflects sharper detection through technology rather than an actual spike in offences.The spike followed the creation of a Cyber Protection Unit (CPU) in Feb, which uses artificial intelligence and other tools to analyse thousands of online tip-lines that earlier went unexamined. “With technology, we are now able to identify actionable information and ensure that cases are registered,” Goel said.The new system also led to a 500% rise in accused identified, she added, underscoring how AI-driven analysis enables faster tracking of offenders. She noted that most online victims are in the puberty age group, the most vulnerable stage both online and offline. “Many cases detected involve foreign victims, as most platforms reporting such content are based abroad, though local instances have also been traced,” she said.Addressing jurisdiction concerns in cybercrime, Goel clarified: “There’s absolutely no confusion. Wherever the victim is and wherever the complaint is made, that is the jurisdiction. The accused may be anywhere. For child sexual abuse material on the internet, the jurisdiction extends to where the content is being viewed. If I am in Hyderabad and watching, the case is registered here. Cybercrimes are borderless, and that makes tracking offenders a huge challenge for law enforcement.“While technology is helping uncover hidden cases, state women and child welfare minister Anasuya Seethakka cautioned that many offences occur within the victim’s own circle of trust. “While law enforcement is stepping up, the bigger challenge lies within families and communities, making protection extremely difficult. In today’s world, even living alone at home feels unsafe,” she said. She further stressed that crime against children has diversified because of their exposure to risks at an early age, making awareness and education as critical as enforcement. She argued that beyond policing, education and awareness are crucial. Children, she said, should be taught about the punishments and consequences of offences in detail, as this could help instil discipline and act as a deterrent.Sanjay Sharma, secretary of the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR), emphasised the need for a “360-degree approach” to child protection. “We have to narrow down from a child’s home to their school and every space they occupy. That makes the task extremely challenging,” he said.Sharma noted that one of the biggest hurdles is ensuring that all stakeholders — from parents and teachers to law enforcement, medical professionals, and the legal fraternity — are aware of their roles and responsibilities. “Do parents know where to report? Do officials know how to respond? Sensitisation is key,” he stressed.The NCPCR, he said, has been working to build awareness at multiple levels: teaching children about good touch-bad touch, giving them preliminary information about their rights, and urging systematic training for police officers, medical staff, and legal professionals. Sharma underlined that safeguarding children cannot be left to institutions alone. “Protecting children requires the involvement of every individual, every community, and every sector of society,” he said.
