Over 31,000 SGBV cases filed as courts improve response, Judiciary Report shows
The report says 31,460 Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) cases were filed in the year, reflecting a 0.9 per cent rise that the Judiciary links to improved reporting and growing trust in the system.
A rising wave of survivors walking into courtrooms, child-friendly chambers and private testimony rooms set the tone for the Judiciary’s latest review of how the justice system handled sexual and child-related offences over the past year.
The State of the Judiciary and the Administration of Justice Report for 2024–2025 shows that more people came forward to seek help as specialised courts, trained officers and supportive facilities continued to shape how these cases are heard.
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The report says 31,460 Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) cases were filed in the year, reflecting a 0.9 per cent rise that the Judiciary links to improved reporting and growing trust in the system.
Grievous harm and assault made up most of the incoming cases at nearly three-quarters of the filings, while offences affecting minors accounted for about 19 per cent.
Courts concluded 31,880 SGBV matters, pushing the Case Clearance Rate to 101 per cent from 97 per cent the previous year.
This, the Judiciary notes, shows better coordination and prioritisation in courts handling these offences. Categories such as defilement, rape and other related cases continued to post clearance levels above 100 per cent.
Filed defilement cases stood at 6,088 against 6,847 concluded, while rape recorded 1,014 filings and 1,058 concluded. Sexual assault had 399 filings and 312 concluded. Grievous harm and assault reached 23,269 filings, with 22,912 concluded.
Other sexual offences saw 690 filings and 751 concluded. However, the report points out that unanswered grievous harm, assault and sexual assault cases increased, signalling the need for stronger investigations, survivor-driven support and improved forensic services.
Under the Child Justice Strategy, the Judiciary continued to expand specialised courts for minors and train officers who “ensure that cases involving minors are handled with care, professionalism, and sensitivity.”
Children’s hearings are conducted in private rooms designed to protect their safety and emotional well-being.
Magistrates' courts recorded 15,670 children’s matters in FY 2024/25. Of these, 1,054 involved children in conflict with the law, while 14,616 were cases of children in contact with the law.
Boys made up 94 per cent of conflict-with-the-law cases. Defilement led with 268 filings, taking up 25 per cent, followed by stealing at 16 per cent, grievous harm at 9 per cent and breaking into buildings at 8 per cent. Sexual offences formed 45 per cent of these matters, and theft-related cases accounted for 25 per cent.
Among children in contact with the law, custody and maintenance registered 6,609 filings, while care and protection cases stood at 6,319.
The Judiciary says these numbers show the need for stronger diversion programmes, psychosocial care and deeper collaboration with child-focused agencies.
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