This study examines the socio-demographic factors and spatial-temporal dynamics of crimes against women (CAW) in West Bengal from 2017-2022. A multi-stage analytical framework is used, incorporating deviation analysis, standardized residuals, chi-square contributions, Cramér's V, and Spearman's rank correlation with regression, using district-level data from the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) and socio-economic indicators from various sources. The findings show that crime incidence is highly heterogeneous with notable temporal and spatial fluctuations. According to the Pareto principle, districts such as South 24 Parganas, Jalpaiguri, and North 24 Parganas consistently show up as hotspots, collectively contributing more than 80% of the chi-square value. Sharp oscillations in some districts are highlighted by standardized residuals, suggesting erratic crime dynamics. While female literacy and unemployment have little explanatory power, correlation-regression analysis reveals a significant correlation between higher crime rates and female education beyond the tenth grade, multi-dimensional poverty, urbanization, and sex ratio. While underreporting probably hides vulnerability in poorer, less literate areas, higher crime rates in urbanized and better-educated districts may partially reflect increased awareness and reporting of these crimes. The results highlight how education, gender parity, poverty, and urbanization interact to shape CAW. The policy implications focus on geographically focused interventions in hotspot districts to enhance gender parity, increase access to education, reduce poverty and fortify reporting and justice systems. Underreporting biases and temporal mismatches in data sources are examples of these limitations. To improve comprehension and policy responsiveness, future research should include spatial clustering, qualitative case studies and predictive modelling.
Crimes Against Women, Spatial-Temporal Dynamics, Socio-Demographic Correlates, West Bengal.
International Journal of Trend in Scientific Research and Development - IJTSRD having
online ISSN 2456-6470. IJTSRD is a leading Open Access, Peer-Reviewed International
Journal which provides rapid publication of your research articles and aims to promote
the theory and practice along with knowledge sharing between researchers, developers,
engineers, students, and practitioners working in and around the world in many areas
like Sciences, Technology, Innovation, Engineering, Agriculture, Management and
many more and it is recommended by all Universities, review articles and short communications
in all subjects. IJTSRD running an International Journal who are proving quality
publication of peer reviewed and refereed international journals from diverse fields
that emphasizes new research, development and their applications. IJTSRD provides
an online access to exchange your research work, technical notes & surveying results
among professionals throughout the world in e-journals. IJTSRD is a fastest growing
and dynamic professional organization. The aim of this organization is to provide
access not only to world class research resources, but through its professionals
aim to bring in a significant transformation in the real of open access journals
and online publishing.