Sexual abuse: IGP, govt urged to act against child abuse culprits

Social activists request authorities to ensure police, community stop pressurising parents of survivors

PESHAWAR: The provincial government has been urged to take action against those involved in child sexual abuse cases across the province.

This was stated in a letter sent by Child Rights Movement (CRM) to IGP Nasir Durrani.

CRM is a group of civil society organisations that aim to create an enabling environment for children through collective advocacy on child rights. Civil society representatives voiced their reservations and were agitated over the growing number of child sexual abuses cases in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.



As per copy of the letter received by The Express Tribune on Wednesday, an incident of child sexual abuse was reported on May 10, 2016 from Nawa Killi village in Mingora, Swat. The document read that after abducting the children, the kidnappers took them into underground. They forced them to have sex and also filmed the acts. However, a case has been registered under various sections of the Pakistan Penal Code and a three-member committee has been constituted under Swat DSP Sadiq Akbar.

According to the letter, 17 cases of child sexual abuse have been highlighted but the number could increase if investigation is carried out in a thorough and effective manner.

The letter revealed some police officials were involved in child sexual abuse cases. However, none of them have been arrested so far. One of the main suspects, identified as Aurangzeb, was arrested by the police for sexually abusing children.

CRM requested the IGP to direct the Swat police to immediately arrest all members of the gang, ensure protection of visual, chemical and forensic evidence and ensure the gang gets exemplary punishment from the court.

As per the letter, the police and some local elders were pressurising the parents of rape survivors to reach a compromise and maintain silence over the issue as it would bring a bad name to Swat.

CRM requested the authorities to ensure the police and local community members stop pressurising parent as this was against child rights.

Raising awareness

While speaking to The Express Tribune, Child Rights Movement K-P Coordinator Shakeel Khan said CRM strongly supports the police and local community in creating widespread awareness at schools about child sexual abuse, violence against women and children and honour killings.



“Awareness is essential and there must be a vibrant child protection system to ensure prevention of child sexual abuse, exploitation and trafficking,” he said. According to Shakeel, 11 cases, nine in Peshawar and two in Charsadda, have been reported in K-P this year.  “However, the number of such incidents could be higher if the police conduct thorough investigation,” he added

He said K-P Child Protection and Welfare Commission could play a vital role in preventing abuse, neglect and exploitation against children.

When contacted, SSP Operations Abbas Majeed Khan Marwat told The Express Tribune the number of sexual abuse cases has increased in the provincial capital, while the police also arrested some culprits involved in the heinous crime. He added that family members were involved in a majority of cases.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 26^th, 2016.