A number of cases of either physical or sexual abuse of domestic helpers have been reported from the country
ISLAMABAD: The country was much outraged after 10-year-old domestic helper Tayyaba was tortured at the hands of her employer. The outrage led to the arrest of the little girl’s tormenters, Additional District and Sessions Judge Islamabad Raja Khurram Ali Khan and his wife Maheen Zafar. In a country where the elites and the influential are almost invincible, the arrest of the accused was a step in the right direction — sending out a statement that no one is to be spared for harassment of minors. But unfortunately, many failed to get the memo as another case of torture of a minor domestic helper emerged in Lahore.
Ten-year-old Sadia’s parents have filed a complaint against her employers for brutally torturing their child. This is not the first case that has emerged after that of Tayyaba’s. A number of cases of either physical or sexual abuse of domestic helpers have been reported from different parts of the country. And let’s not forget these are only the cases that have been reported and many go unreported as parents or the victims avoid confrontation out of fear. This may mean for every one Tayyaba, there are perhaps 10 more who suffer in silence. And yet the state does not even try to hear them.
Sabih Mohammad
Published in The Express Tribune, August 31st, 2017.
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