The data showed the highest number of rape victims were in the age group of 12 to 18 years Despite a dip in crimes against children, the trial of 99 per cent of cases under the POCSO Act were still pending by December 2020, a Praja Foundation report said on Thursday. According to the foundation data, in 94 per cent of the total 1,197 cases under the Protection of Children Against Sexual Offences lodged in 2020, the victims were girls with the highest number of 721 rape cases and 376 sexual assault cases. The report pointed out that while POCSO Act was enacted with the sole purpose of providing speedy justice to minors, the trial of 99 per cent of cases of crimes against children was pending as of December 2020. According to the data, 42 per cent of the total rape cases were committed against children below 18 years in 2020, compared to 47 per cent in 2018 and 45 per cent in 2019. The data showed the highest number of rape victims were in the age group of 12 to 18 year...