Balasore: District police have decided to sensitise school and college girls, particularly those in the vulnerable adolescent age group, to curb the menace of sexual assaults including rape, molestation and sex videos.

District superintendent of police B. Jugal Kishore said: "It is high time to contain the menace and enhancing awareness among girl students might help."

"After summer vacation and beginning the last week of June, we would be holding awareness programmes in schools and colleges for girls from class IX onwards. They will be told about protection measures, penal provisions under the IPC and legal relief among other things," Kishore said. "Teams comprising police personnel, volunteers in social sectors and legal experts would visit educational institutions and disseminate information," he said.

Police records show that during the last five years (2013-17) about 730 rape cases have been registered in the district and 35 per cent of the victims are minors.

Despite the stringent Protection of Children Against Sexual Offences (Pocso) Act and special court set up in the district, there has been no let up in the incidents.

This year, about 45 incidents of rape have been reported in police, 25 of them involve minors. "Ever since a special court has been established in Balasore to deal with cases filed under POCSO Act, the disposal has been fairly speedy. In most of the cases the accused have been convicted. This year, the court has disposed of four red flag cases within record time," said special public prosecutor in Pocso court Pranab Panda.

"In six out of seven red flag cases, the accused have been convicted. In the lone acquittal, we have moved Orissa High Court. Around 40 Pocso cases are still in trial stage," he said. Social worker Lopamudra Mohapatra said: "The misuse of social media platform is increasing alarmingly. Juvenile girls are falling prey to dubious characters. At times the victims don't know what to do under such circumstances. Sensitising them will be a big help." The district is the first in the state to open a special cell in the office of the police chief to deal with atrocities against women. The wing has become operational since March 12 and two women experts, with social science background, have been posted to deal with the issues.

"We deal with cases are referred to us by police stations and those from the SP office. Most of the cases are pertaining to domestic violence," said Malbika Bag, a member of the cell.