Sexual abuse of boys remains a serious and often overlooked issue. In Telangana, 62 cases under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act involving boys have reportedly been registered, while officials warn that the actual number could be higher because many incidents never come to light.
Data shared by the Women Safety Wing of the Telangana Police show a rise in the number of boys recorded as victims under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.
Only four male child victims were recorded in 2024. The number rose to 61 in 2025, while 62 were recorded between January and September 2026, already exceeding the figure for the whole of last year.
In all, 127 male child victims were recorded between 2024 and September 2026. Hyderabad accounted for 24 of the 61 victims in 2025, followed by Khammam with 13.
In the first nine months of 2026, Mahabubabad recorded the highest number at nine. Mirchowk, Shamshabad and Medchal Malkajgiri recorded seven each, while Gachibowli, Hyderabad, Karimnagar, Nirmal and Warangal recorded three each.
At the same time, they say many cases involving boys never reach the police. Families are sometimes reluctant to report sexual abuse because of stigma and concerns over โfamily prestigeโ. Boys too may hesitate to speak about what happened, particularly when the accused is someone they know.
Sexual abuse can affect children of any gender. However, boys may face additional barriers to speaking out because of stereotypes that portray them as incapable of being victims or pressure them to remain silent about their experiences.
