In India we see news about many cases of women harassment and sexual abuse by minor boys. These boys are below age and so come in juvenile category. We hear about vivid discussions by many known as well as unknown experts on the subject. Some suggest that age limit of juvenile should be reduced and many others insist that it is not correct to do so. On the other hand such cases of crime by under age youths is growing alarmingly. Some psychologists opine that this sudden spurt in such cases is due to pornographic movies shown as mainstream entertainment. For example, Dirty...  They are of the opinion that such movies can influence under age youth of no proper home upbringing to commit crimes against helpless females of any age. They insist that if our censor board is vigilant and does not allow these pornographic movies to pass as adult and mainstream cinemas that will bring some control on this spate of sex related crimes. Our censor board is not doing its designated duty honestly and that is accepted by all social activists. Some fear that this censor board is corrupt and big producers can bribe them to get their pornographic work passed. We have a country full of corrupt administration almost every where and so if this is the prime reason for these sex related crimes I may admit we have no solution to this social problem.

There are other views also. They blame religious teachings of popular religions such as Brahmanism, Islam and Christianity. These religions give second or better said no position to women as against man. Growing youth often see that girls and women are mistreated or taken for granted in their families as well as in society. This is particularly experienced in families of low upbringing irrespective of cast and creed and financial status. This creates a definite mind set in these under cultured youths and they begin to think lightly of all women around. Due to this mentality some of them are occasionally driven to exploit helplessness of some women they come across culminating in a sex related crime. To remedy this is not easy because the three religions I have mentioned are guided by a strong appeal for fanaticism. The high priest of these religions are shamelessly adamant to make any changes in their scriptures. They think to do that amounts to challenging the fundamentals of these religions. However, we see that secular effect has mellowed down many followers of these religions but they generally belong to high society and the problem youth does not come from that section of the society but from lower grade, who believe in their high priests. These religions nevertheless, claim that they do most service to women!

The third view to which I endorse suggests that due to modern amenities of information such as TV, Internet, Movies boys and girls of under age become mature early. That is called premature maturity. Their body comes of age earlier than the normal period. Their thinking pattern or brain development however, remains not suitable for that body. This creates conflicting situation. Very often this leads to desire for sex in the minds of such youths. As a result some of them are driven to commit sex related crimes. According to some psychologists there is no remedy to that. This is because, these youth are not mentally prepared to control that body passion. Many researchers admit that normal maturity age is around 16 to 18 for boys and 15 to 17 for girls. Premature maturity age could be as low as 12 for some boys and 9 for girls. That means a boy of 12 can commit a sex crime under that situation. He is an adult as far as sex related matters are concerned. This argument gives us some reliable base to decide about juvenile age of a boy who has committed a sex crime. At present we consider juvenile age at 18, based on the argument that he is growing normally. When we consider this premature maturity aspect according to that his age for juvenile consideration can be comfortably lowered to 12.

To sum up on this argument, the juvenile age of a suspect best decided by his puberty test. If the boy who has committed sex crime passes puberty test then he should be taken as adult and considered for the concerned punishment. No age limit becomes applicable. Here I would suggest that there will be two age categories decided for juvenile age determination. First category for sex related crimes and that we studied here. Other category for other crimes such as theft, rioting, assaults, murder etc. and for that age limit can remain at 18 years and that will be safe for all arguments.

In addition to this remedial activity to control promiscuous films and TV programs by making censor more effective may be taken up. Educating priest of the religions to improve on the outdated teachings of their religions may also be taken up. I am happy that Brahmanism has come of age and most priest excepting some backward groups belonging to so called sanatan sect have improved on their stand, accepting equal status for women. Christian and Muslim priests need be educated on this subject.

Control on media so that news of this crime is not given promotional position, and attempts to sensitize them by writing repeatedly on them must be banned. That will help control these crimes to a great extent.

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