Two women subjected to sexual assault

Both victims were alone when accused barged into their homes

RAHIM YAR KHAN: Two women were sexually assaulted in separate incidents in Rahim Yar Khan on Sunday, Express News reported.

In the first incident that occurred in Dari Azeem Khan area, police said that Z* was allegedly abducted by accused Abdul Khaliq and his accomplices from her home while she was alone. The suspects took the victim to an undisclosed location where the accused sexually assaulted her. The victim was shifted to a hospital for a medical examination. Police have registered a case and have started investigations.



Meanwhile, another woman was raped in Rahim Yar Khan’s Moza Jauharwala area. A police official said that S* was alone in her house when accused Muhammad Hanif and his friend barged into her house and allegedly raped her.

He added that when the victim raised a hue and cry, the culprits fled the scene. The woman was shifted to a hospital for medical examination. A case has been registered against the accused.

Earlier on August 16, a woman was raped in the city’s Tiranda Muhammad Panah area. A police official said that the accused Sajid Ali barged into the house of S*, a resident of Chak No 142-NP, and allegedly raped her when she was alone.

After committing the offence, the accused left the victim in a semi-naked state and fled the scene.

In recent months, cases of sexual abuse have been on the rise across Punjab. Most cases have been reported from Faisalabad, Rahim Yar Khan, Gujranwala and other parts of the province. The victims include women and minor girls or boys.



A report issued by NGO Sahil revealed that the highest incidents of sexual abuse involving children were recorded in Punjab. Earlier, Sahil executive director Manizeh Bano said the sexual exploitation of women and children across Punjab had been reported over many years.

She added hundreds of rape cases have been identified, but only a few victims have come forward to seek justice.

* Names withheld to protect identity

 

Published in The Express Tribune, August 20^th, 2018.