AP has gained the notoriety of being the most unsafe place for women among the four southern states of the country, according to the crime data available with the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB).

The data indicates Karnataka remains the safest place for women with the least number of rape and sexual harassment cases being reported from that state.

Andhra Pradesh has raced ahead leaving behind Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Kerala on all aspects of crime against women especially in spheres of rape and sexual offences. It also stands first in terms of the number of cases reported and number of persons arrested, prosecuted and convicted with relation to crimes against women.

While AP has reported 1257, 1189 and 1362 cases of rape registered in 2008, 2009 and 2010 respectively, the number was only around 500 in other states in the three years.

Andhra Pradesh has also emerged as the state with highest number of sexual harassment cases being reported in 2011. While AP has reported 4562 cases of sexual harassment, Karnataka has reported 83, Kerala 537 and Tamil Nadu 638.

However, there is an opinion among women activists that Karnataka could be a case of under reporting as far as crimes against women are concerned. “It is too sweeping to say that women are safest in Karnataka,” said a leading women’s activist. (J)