Odisha Reports Over 37,000 Crimes Against Women in 14 Months

The state of Odisha has reported a staggering total of approximately 37,611 cases of crimes against women from June 2024 to July 2025, as disclosed by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi during an Assembly session on Monday. This alarming statistic highlights the ongoing issue of violence and abuse against women in the region.

In response to inquiries from MLAs Arun Kumar Sahoo of the Biju Janata Dal and Sofia Firdous of the Congress party, Majhi provided detailed figures regarding various categories of crimes. The data includes 2,933 cases of rape, 9,181 instances of molestation, and 1,278 reports of sexual harassment. Additionally, there were 2,161 cases of public disrobing, 8,227 kidnappings, and 5,464 dowry-related tortures reported during this timeframe.

The Chief Minister outlined several other concerning statistics: there were 702 cases of eve-teasing, 174 attempts to rape, and 334 incidents involving refusal to marry after sex. Other reported offenses included 447 cases of stalking, three acid attacks, and 127 women trafficking incidents. Furthermore, the data revealed 264 dowry homicides and 44 dowry suicides across the state.

Police Oversight and Cyber Monitoring

Mohan Charan Majhi emphasized that critical and sensitive cases, particularly those involving rape and acid attacks, are under close monitoring by district-level police officials, including superintendents and additional superintendents of police. This oversight aims to ensure that serious crimes against women receive the attention and resources they need.

In a bid to address the growing concerns regarding cyber crimes, the state has established a children and women online abuse monitoring unit operating under the Criminal Investigation Department-Crime Branch (CID-CB). This unit is dedicated to tackling online harassment and abuse targeted at women and children.

Student Suicides Highlighting Mental Health Concerns

In response to another question posed by MLA Sofia Firdous, Chief Minister Majhi noted the troubling report of 22 cases of death by suicide involving students from government and private educational institutions across 15 districts since June 2024. These incidents further underscore the pressing need for comprehensive mental health support and interventions for students.

The data presented in the Assembly paints a stark picture of the challenges faced by women in Odisha and highlights the necessity for effective policies and measures to combat violence and support victims. As the government continues to address these issues, the focus remains on creating safer environments for all citizens.