The registration of crimes against women and children has increased exponentially. This increase is not due to deterioration in law and order but increased sensitivity towards such crimes post certain amendments in law. More people are coming forward to report crimes due to legal initiatives taken post the 2012 Nirbhya gang rape case. The police fearing stigma attached to the reporting of crimes against women and children has gradually weakened. Besides, now police are held accountable under Section167A of the IPC if they do not register offences against women. Complaints have grown because of increased consciousness about women’s rights. Social Media too, has helped increase awareness about such issues.

Earlier, in case of missing children only complaints would be registered but now police will register as kidnapping cases which cannot be closed unless solved. The children are abducted or kidnapped for the reasons ranging from vengeance over family or business disputes, demand for ransom, forcing children to work as domestic servants, child labour in hazardous factories, pushing them into organized begging, child trafficking, engagement in immoral activities, pedophilia, child brides, illegal adoptions, medical trials, cannibalism, illegal shipment to other countries for forcible role as child soldiers etc.