Vol. 7, Issue 2, Part J (2025)

In the recent period Odisha has witnessed a disturbing rise in cases of sexual exploitation and underage pregnancies among girls residing in government-run and residential school hostels. Between 2020 to 2025, multiple cases emerged from tribal districts such as Kandhamal, Kalahandi, Sundargarh, and Mayurbhanj, where minor girls many under the age of 16 were found to be pregnant while staying in state-run hostels (The Hindu, 2024; OTV, 2023). According to the National Crime Records Bureau (2022), Odisha recorded over 2,300 cases of crimes against women, with rural and tribal belts being disproportionately affected. These incidents have ignited public outrage and raised serious concerns about the illusion of women’s safety, particularly for girls from marginalized and tribal communities. This research critically examines the systemic failure of institutions entrusted with ensuring the safety and dignity of women in Odisha. Using both qualitative as well as quantitative approaches, The study draws on recent POCSO Act violation data, NCRB crime statistics, field-based case studies, and media reports to investigate how administrative apathy, lack of monitoring, and absence of female staff in residential schools contribute to unchecked abuse. This paper critically analyses that the rhetoric of safety remains far removed from the lived realities of adolescent girls in Odisha, necessitating urgent reforms in policy, institutional accountability, and gender-sensitive governance. The study calls for a rights-based, intersectional approach to restore trust and ensure justice.