PANJIM: Goa is harbouring a deeply troubling reality. According to the Crime in India 2024 report released by the National Crime Records Bureau on May 6, 2026, the State recorded the highest rape rate among all Indian States — 13.3 cases per lakh population, more than three times the national average of 4.3. More disturbing still, nearly two-thirds of the survivors were children.
Of the 106 survivors recorded in Goa’s 105 registered rape cases in 2024, 65 — a staggering 61 per cent — were minors below the age of 18. The State’s rape rate involving minors alone stood at 8.1 per lakh population, the highest in the country. These are not merely numbers. They are children.
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The data exposes not just the scale of the crime, but also the failure of justice that follows. Goa’s conviction rate in rape cases stands at a dismal 9.4 per cent, while case pendency hovers at 91.2 per cent — meaning nine out of every 10 cases are yet to see a verdict. As of 2024, 1,682 cases from previous years remained pending trial, with 237 fresh cases added to the queue.
Women’s rights activist Sabina Martins, who has worked with Bailancho Saad for over three decades, minces no words. “Sexual assault is rampant in the State. Minors are the most vulnerable,” she says, adding that while stronger reporting mechanisms have helped bring more cases involving children to light, adult survivors still face enormous barriers. “Adults face more obstacles, such as character assassination and victim-blaming. Even after complaints are lodged, FIRs are not registered in many cases.”
Martins holds the government directly accountable. “The high number of rape cases in Goa is extremely alarming. The government needs to seriously introspect on the functioning of systems meant to prevent sexual violence. The policy of excluding people working at the grassroots on these issues has further weakened systems meant to strengthen the prevention of violence.”
The spike in cases involving minors points to a troubling pattern that activists say is driven, in large part, by online predation. Social activist and founder-president of Bailancho Ekvott, Auda Viegas, says the trend is consistent with what she sees on the ground. “The reporting has improved because, of late, we have seen a growing number of cases involving child victims,” she says. “Many children are running away from home, ending up in unfamiliar places and being left vulnerable — so such incidents are bound to happen.”
Viegas identifies online grooming as a key factor that demands legislative attention. “Online grooming should be treated as a serious offence under the POCSO Act. If grooming is stopped, such incidents can be prevented,” she asserts. “Pornography is easily accessible. Children should not be allowed access, and there should be restrictions on children visiting such websites.” She calls for urgent awareness campaigns targeting both parents and educational institutions, urging the government to “take stock of the situation.”
The findings carry consequences that extend beyond the State’s borders. Goa’s global reputation as a safe and welcoming destination now faces serious scrutiny. Advocate Raju Paulekar said, “The numbers suggest Goa is definitely not safe for children and needs a stronger child-protection environment and a child-friendly criminal justice system.”
The economic and reputational implications are equally grave. “Goa is internationally acclaimed as a safe tourist destination, and these statistics will have repercussions for the entire tourism industry, as foreigners may feel unsafe travelling to Goa,” he warns.
What makes the data particularly jarring is the contradiction it presents. Goa’s overall crime against women rate — at 45.2 per lakh women population — is actually below the national average of 64.6. NCRB data also showed that Goa registered a total of 3,297 cognizable crimes in 2024, including 2,121 offences under IPC/BNS provisions and 1,176 cases under Special and Local Laws (SLL). The State recorded a combined crime rate of 208 per lakh population. Goa’s IPC/BNS crime rate stood at 133.8, significantly lower than the national average of 252.3, placing the State among those with comparatively lower overall crime levels.
Goa’s chargesheeting rate stood at 73.9 per cent, slightly above the national average of 72.1 per cent. At the national level, the NCRB reported an overall decline in crime during 2024 compared to the previous year, even as cybercrime cases across the country rose sharply by over 17 per cent.
Only Chandigarh, a Union Territory, recorded a higher rape rate overall at 16.6 per lakh population. Among States, Goa stands alone at the top.
