In 2024, cases of sexual harassment and abuse against women in Bengaluru surged by 9%, with 1,247 incidents reported compared to 1,139 in 2023. Rape cases also saw a 3% rise, with 178 incidents recorded this year. However, police officials attribute this increase to heightened awareness and proactive complaint filing, empowering women to report harassment without fear of bias or neglect.

Safe City Initiative Impact

The city’s Safe City Initiative has played a key role in enhancing security. Over 7,500 CCTV cameras have been installed in sensitive areas like bus stops and school zones, enabling swift identification of perpetrators. Of the 1,247 harassment cases, police have identified 1,085 suspects and taken legal action.

Decline in Domestic Violence and Child Abuse

Encouragingly, domestic violence cases dropped by 12%, from 697 in 2023 to 613 this year. Sexual abuse cases against minors also fell by 3%, with 577 incidents reported in 2024, of which 557 have been resolved.

Dowry Deaths Unchanged

Despite progress in some areas, dowry-related deaths remained static at 25 cases, mirroring the previous year. Among the victims was a homemaker from a prominent business family.

Officials emphasize that increased reporting signals growing confidence among women and a commitment to transparent investigations.