It is great news to see the K-P Assembly agree on creating a committee to review punishment for child abusers
PESHAWAR: It is great news to see the whole of the K-P Assembly agree on creating a committee to review punishment for child abusers. There are many things that need to be assessed carefully and taken into account when forming this new amendment.
Firstly, I think that since the heinous crime inflicts pain and psychological shocks on the victim, the punishment for the crime should also be proportionate. The criminal should not be killed, in fact an emergency medical crew should keep the criminal alive throughout the punishment period.
Secondly, I think the victim should be given some support from the government, including a grant for legal fee, complete medical coverage, psychological care, quarterly interaction with other victims and families, family relocation grant and scholarship for higher education to help the victims lead a normal life.
Thirdly, to help ensure quick court proceedings in such cases, the courts should define evidence collection as these days DNA tests is the norm.
Similarly the criminal should be given a painful punishment for the same amount of time as the court proceedings went on for. This will give an incentive to criminals to admit their crime and avoid prolonging painful punishment.
Shahryar Khan Baseer
Published in The Express Tribune, January 2nd, 2020.
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