Official data reveals over 31,500 reported rapes in 2022—a 20% rise from the previous year.
US Warns Travelers as India Faces Surge in Violent Crime & Sexual Assaults. The U.S. State Department has issued a Level-2 travel advisory for India, urging visitors to “exercise increased caution” due to rising risks of crime and terrorism. The warning, updated on June 16, 2025, highlights a sharp increase in violent crimes, including rape, at tourist spots and public areas, as well as potential terrorist threats targeting transportation hubs, markets, and government buildings. Women travelers, particularly those traveling alone, are advised to be especially vigilant.
Recent high-profile cases have drawn global attention. On June 15, a 20-year-old college student was allegedly gang-raped by 10 men, including four juveniles, at Gopalpur Beach in Odisha. Authorities have since stepped up security with better lighting, CCTV surveillance, and increased patrols. In another shocking incident, an Israeli tourist and her Indian homestay host were gang-raped in Hampi, Karnataka, in early March 2025, leading to arrests but also causing fear among foreign visitors.
Other cases include the abduction and rape of a 15-year-old girl in Agra in 2022, with the perpetrator recently sentenced to 20 years in prison, and the brutal gang rape of a 19-year-old woman in Varanasi over several days in March-April 2025. Disturbing trends continue with cases like the 2024 Dhing gang-rape in Assam and the 2023 IIT-BHU assault in Varanasi, where a student was raped at gunpoint.
Official data reveals over 31,500 reported rapes in 2022—a 20% rise from the previous year. The U.S. advisory warns travelers, especially women, to avoid isolated areas, use trusted transportation, and stay in well-secured locations. While Indian authorities have taken steps to improve safety, systemic issues remain, raising concerns about tourism and India’s global image. The advisory serves as both a caution for travelers and a call for deeper reforms to address the crisis.
