ISLAMABAD – In a backdrop of Zainab’s murder case, a report of a taskforce, constituted by Federal Ombudsman to diagnose systematic issue ofchild abuse, depicts horrific picture of morally declining society andfailure of the authorities concerned.
The report titled “Mapping of Issues & Response to Sexual Violence AgainstChildren” recently submitted before the Steering committee on ‘KasurTragedy & Redressal of systematic issues’ proposed 11-point remedialmeasures to prevent and control the rising cases of shameful acts withchildren in different parts of the country, especially Kasur.
Unfortunately the report revealed Punjab’s most pathetic situation wheresome 1089 cases of sexual violence, out of 4,139 in the entire country in2017, were reported. Lahore was among top where majority of the incidentsoccurred.Kasur-based study was conducted in six months involving extensive deskresearch of prevailing system and legal framework, meetings withmulti-stake holders and a five-week long field work.
The study recommended long and short term steps. Setting up of a ‘One StopFacilitation Center’ in Kasur as pilot project on earliest in order toprovide medical, psychiatric, psycho-social and legal support to thevictims and their families at district and tehsil level was a short termsolution recommended by the force.It was endorsed in the steering committee chaired by Syed Tahir ShabazWafaqi Mohtsib that such centers would be run under the supervision of acommittee comprising of official of health department and federal andprovincial commissioners. International development partners and UNICEFwould be approached for financial assistance to manage these centers.
The report also recommended such centers must be equipped tools to conducteffective monitoring, reporting and oversight of child right violation.Beside, ensuring the legal assistance and other necessary help to theaggrieved parties.
It also emphasized for developing database of DNA of the criminals,suspects and potential perpetrators at district Kasur level on urgent basisto ensure quick tracing of the offenders of sexual abuse and missingchildren, besides adopting zero tolerance against culprits.
Long term initiatives proposed enactment of new laws and some amendments inexisting laws to ensure psyco-social, legal and medical support as well asprohibition of exonerating of accused with the consent of aggrieved. Thelegal time-frame of such cases must be reduced to six months, it added.
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The installation of more close-circuit Television cameras in more pronecities and development of protocol with Facebook and Google authorities tocontrol inflow and outflow of pornographic materials is also suggested.It also underlined to introduce educational reforms by startingsensitization and training of school/ Madrassah going children andteachers, boy scouts and girl guides to beat the threat of such attempts.Parents should also be imparted trainings on same lines.
Police trainings are more critical to handle the victim, accused and mediaas per national and international laws, the report highlighted.Talking to APP, Commissioner for Children and Adviser of Federal OmbudsmanSyeda Viqar-un-Nisa Hashmi said the report is now with the President ofPakistan and consultation on child abused issue with parliamentarians arescheduled in the coming days.
Syeda Viqar said they would provide full support and facilitate theconcerned authorities for rooting out this menace from the country.The commissioner regretted that about 92 per cent of the reported accusedwere illiterate and had formal education. Fourty five per cent of whomstudied up to only primary level, followed by 15 who went to have secondaryand middle classes, she added.
She stressed to educate parents for keeping the children away from theelectronic gadgets which were a main source of incitement in early ages.
