Pindi sees spike in violence

SSDO report says actual number of unreported cases may be even higher

RAWALPINDI:

During the first four months of the ongoing year, a substantial increase in the occurrence of serious incidents of violence against women and children has surfaced in the Rawalpindi Division.

According to an investigation report published by the Sustainable Social Development Organisation (SSDO), more than 600 cases of violence against women and 107 cases of violence and crimes against children were reported across the division.

“There has been an alarming increase in FIRs of violence against women and children with the Punjab Police from January 1, 2023,” the report said.

“A total of 10,365 cases of violence against women were reported to the police from January 1, 2023, to April 30, 2023, across the province, while 1,768 cases of violence against children were also reported during the same period,” the contents of the report said.

Violence against women

Regarding the Rawalpindi division, the report states that a total of 636 cases were reported regarding violence against women, kidnapping, rape, honour killing, human trafficking and physical violence including violence at workplaces in the Rawalpindi as well as the other three districts of Attock, Chakwal and Jhelum. Regarding Rawalpindi district, it was reported that the total number of incidents in the district was 326, including 10 cases of domestic violence against women, 236 cases of kidnapping, five cases of rape, two cases of honour killing, 23 cases of human trafficking and 50 incidents of physical violence were reported.

Similarly, it was reported that in the Attock district, a total of 130 cases of violence against women were reported, including two cases of domestic violence, 71 cases of kidnapping, 26 cases of rape, one case of honour killing, three cases of trafficking and 27 cases of physical violence.

On the other hand, a total of 106 incidents of violence against women were reported in the Jhelum district, including one incident of domestic violence, 66 incidents of kidnapping, seven incidents of rape, six incidents of trafficking and 26 incidents of physical violence.

Further, a total of 74 incidents of violence against women were reported in Chakwal district in which 39 cases of kidnapping, seven cases of rape, one case of honour killing, five cases of trafficking and 22 cases of physical violence were reported.

Violence against children

Regarding violence and crimes against children, it was stated that a total of 107 incidents were reported in the first four months of the ongoing year in the four districts of Rawalpindi Division.

In Rawalpindi, 51 cases of child violence or crimes were reported, including 17 cases of abuse, five cases of trafficking, 23 cases of abduction, and six cases of murder.

Similarly, a total of 14 cases of violence and crimes against children were reported in Attock district, including one case of child marriage, eight cases of abuse, three cases of abduction and two cases of murder.

Design : Ibrahim Yahya

A total of 27 incidents of violence and crimes against children were reported in the Jhelum district, including 19 cases of abuse, six cases of abduction and two cases of murder.

Further, a total of 15 incidents of violence and crimes against children took place in the Chakwal district of which 10 cases of abuse and five cases of abduction were reported.

‘Actual number may be higher’

In its report, the SSDO said it believed that the actual number of unreported cases may be even higher, as many people do not report such cases to the police. This is due to social stigma and a lack of trust in law enforcement agencies.

Talking to The Express Tribune, SSDO Executive Director Syed Kausar Abbas said: “We believe that the police in the Rawalpindi Division are doing a remarkable job in registering cases of violence against women and children. It is also commendable that a comprehensive database of such cases is also being maintained.”

Abbas said that the purpose of compiling a report on the data was to draw public attention to the prevalence of violence against women and children.

He hoped that this data can provide a reference for policymakers and other stakeholders so that they direct their efforts towards a targeted approach to curbing this menace.

“This data was collected by filing a ‘Right to Information’ application with the Punjab Police under Article 19-A of the Constitution of Pakistan,” he added.

 

Published in The Express Tribune, July 14^th, 2023.