Only 160 sexual assault survivors have received interim or final compensation from the Kerala State Legal Services Authority (KELSA) in the 2024-25 year. This is less than half the number of children who were given compensation the previous year when 346 got compensation.
Since 2016-17, the highest number of survivors in cases registered under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act who got victim compensation was in the 2022-23 year at 373, according to the 2024-25 annual report of the Kerala State Commission for Protection of Child Rights.
The number fluctuates each year. Till 2019-20, the highest number of survivors to be awarded victim compensation was 62. In 2020-21, the number rose to 225 and then increased further, only to dip in 2024-25.
Either interim or final compensation or both are awarded by courts for meeting the immediate relief and rehabilitation needs of survivors.
POCSO courts in the State have awarded interim compensation to 28 boys and 156 girls and final compensation to 81 boys and 419 girls.
Eight boys and 34 girls who are POCSO survivors have applied for interim compensation and four boys and 30 girls have applied for final compensation.
An amount of ₹36.25 lakh has been given as interim compensation and ₹2.11 crore as final compensation to the survivors in the 2024-25 financial year.
Neither interim or final compensation has been awarded in three districts – Kollam, Alappuzha, and Wayanad.
In six districts, no interim compensation has been given. The highest final compensation has been given in Thiruvananthapuram district – ₹34.5 lakh. Malappuram comes next with ₹30.75 lakh.
Though there has been an improvement in the compensation awarded to survivors, it remains inadequate, the child rights panel observes.
Owing to the delay in obtaining Central funds, victim compensation is currently disbursed using State funds. Crores are said to be due to the survivors. Moreover, not many survivors are aware that they have to file an application for compensation, interim or final, with the district legal services authority or KELSA.
Published – November 06, 2025 08:57 pm IST
