𝐒𝐞𝐱𝐮𝐚𝐥 𝐎𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐂𝐚𝐬𝐞𝐬 𝐑𝐢𝐬𝐞 𝐒𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐩𝐥𝐲 𝐖𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐡𝐮 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐅𝐢𝐠𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐬

…𝒑𝒐𝒍𝒊𝒄𝒆 𝒅𝒂𝒕𝒂 𝒔𝒉𝒐𝒘𝒔 𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒂𝒅𝒚 𝒓𝒊𝒔𝒆 𝒊𝒏 𝒓𝒆𝒑𝒐𝒓𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝒄𝒂𝒔𝒆𝒔 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒐𝒏𝒍𝒊𝒏𝒆 𝒂𝒃𝒖𝒔𝒆 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒅𝒆𝒆𝒑𝒇𝒂𝒌𝒆 𝒎𝒊𝒔𝒖𝒔𝒆 𝒆𝒎𝒆𝒓𝒈𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒂𝒔 𝒌𝒆𝒚 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒄𝒆𝒓𝒏𝒔

By Yeshi Dolma

Thimphu has emerged as the dzongkhag with the highest number of reported sexual offence cases in the country, according to official police data, raising serious concerns among citizens about safety in both physical and digital spaces.

Records show that reported sexual offence cases nationwide increased from 108 in 2022 to 152 in 2025, marking a 41 percent rise over four years. Of these, Thimphu alone accounted for 113 cases, with numbers rising from 27 in 2022 to 37 in 2025, the highest among all districts.

Data compiled from police divisions across fourteen dzongkhags indicate that while Thimphu bears the heaviest burden, other urban centres have also recorded a significant number of cases. Gelephu reported 62 cases during the same period, followed by Samtse with 60 cases. In contrast, smaller dzongkhags such as Bumthang and Trongsa reported significantly fewer cases, with six and seven cases respectively. Police officials said the disparity suggests that population density and higher internet access may be contributing factors.

Colonel Dasho Passang Dorji, Deputy Chief of Police, said sexual offences are no longer confined to physical spaces, with technology reshaping how crimes are committed. “The landscape of sexual offences has changed dramatically,” he said. “Technology has created new ways for perpetrators to harass, threaten, and exploit victims, often without physical contact.”

He warned in particular about the misuse of deepfake technology, where artificial intelligence is used to create realistic but fake intimate images. In some cases, perpetrators have superimposed victims’ faces onto explicit images and used them for blackmail. “We have handled cases where offenders threatened to release such images on social media,” he said. “The psychological harm is severe, and victims include children as young as eleven.”

According to the Deputy Chief, online platforms have made it easier for offenders to target victims anonymously, while making it more difficult for families to detect abuse early. He added that such crimes often remain underreported due to fear, shame, or a lack of awareness.

Concerns over online safety are increasingly being echoed by parents across the country. Tshering Yangki, a mother living in Thimphu, said she fears threats that did not exist when she was growing up. “I have two daughters, one thirteen and one sixteen,” she said. “Today, someone does not even need to be near them to harm them. Everything happens through phones and social media.”

She said the possibility of fake images being created using her children’s photos is especially frightening.
“How do I protect them from something that never even happened but looks real?” she asked.
While acknowledging efforts by authorities, she said technology is advancing faster than laws.
“I want more education in schools and stronger support for victims,” she said. “Children should feel safe, online and offline.”

Police have also identified cases linked to online gambling platforms, where participants were forced to expose themselves on camera as punishment for losing games. Investigators said such content is often recorded and shared, sometimes across borders, complicating enforcement and victim protection.

Pema Dorji, a resident of the capital, said ordinary users often underestimate how easily technology can be misused.
“Most people think of phones and the internet as harmless,” he said. “But the same tools we use every day can be turned against us.”

He said deepfake technology is no longer limited to experts. “Anyone can create harmful content now,” he said. “That is what worries me as a parent. Children do not always understand the risks of sharing photos online.”
He stressed the importance of awareness rather than technical knowledge. “Kids need to know that not everything online is real and that they should be careful about what they share,” he said. “Parents also need to talk openly with their children. This is something the whole community needs to take seriously.”

Teachers in Thimphu are also increasingly encountering the effects of online harassment within classrooms. A teacher, who requested anonymity, said student concerns have changed significantly in recent years. “Earlier, problems were mostly about behaviour in school,” she said. “Now, many issues start online and follow students into the classroom.”
She said students have approached her distressed over images shared without consent or threats made through social media. “Some students are scared to come to school because of what is happening online,” she said. “The emotional impact is very real.” The teacher said schools are trying to respond but face limitations. “We are learning as we go,” she said. “The most important thing is to listen to students and make sure they feel supported.”

Colonel Dasho Passang Dorji acknowledged that many cases remain unreported and urged victims and families to seek help. “Our officers are trained to handle these cases with sensitivity,” he said. “We have units dedicated to digital crimes and are improving our capacity to respond to new threats.”

However, he emphasised that law enforcement alone cannot address the issue.

“Parents need to communicate with their children. Communities must stop normalizing harmful behaviour,” he said. “Sexual offences, whether online or offline, cause lasting harm.” He added that the issue extends beyond legal frameworks. “This is not just a legal issue,” he said. “It is about attitudes and values. Harassment should never be excused or ignored.”

As reported cases continue to rise and technology creates new avenues for abuse, citizens interviewed for this report expressed a common concern over the need for stronger education, support systems, and collective responsibility. Their experiences highlight that sexual offences are no longer isolated incidents but part of a broader challenge affecting families, schools, and communities.

With police statistics showing no sign of decline and digital threats becoming increasingly sophisticated, concerns over safety remain high. How effectively society responds to these challenges will play a significant role in shaping the safety and wellbeing of future generations.