Probe uncovers secret cameras in women’s shelter in Rawalpindi

Investigation unveils disturbing reality of privacy violations, harassment & neglect

RAWALPINDI:

The inspection of Rawalpindi Darul Aman’s premises following the District and Sessions orders has revealed that closed-circuit cameras have been secretly installed within the bedrooms of women residing in the welfare home.

This serious violation of rights and impingement of women’s privacy shocked the district administration. Accordingly, the subordinate judiciary has decided to take the issue very seriously.

The inspection was led by civil judge, Saba Qamar, who conducted an inquiry into complaints of women being strip-searched while being filmed and sexually harassed within the premises of Darul Aman. The inquiry led to several disturbing revelations, out of which, the most concerning was the presence of closed-circuit cameras in female residents’ bedrooms. Moreover, it was also found that the Darul Aman staff misbehaved and harassed the women residing there and that the food served was stale and musty, leading to malnourishment among the residents.

The civil judge’s report states that all women in Darul Aman are facing difficulties, such as invasion of privacy, harassment, discomfort caused by the presence of male officials, unhealthy food, presence of bed bugs and mosquitos, poor cleanliness, and the bad behaviour of staff members. All the 13 women interviewed as part of the inspection, expressed their desire to leave Darul Aman for one reason or another.

The inquiry came after, a woman who had sought refuge in Darul Aman, Sana, left the welfare home within two days because of alleged poor conditions and mistreatment at the facility. She filed a complaint at the court, making several allegations, including forced prostitution of the women residents, their being subjected to filming while being strip-searched and even as they slept, misbehaviour from the staff and poor living conditions.

Out of these allegations, the initial inquiry has shown that at least some were true as proven by the presence of cameras in the women’s bedrooms. Moreover, in the judge’s report obtained by The Express Tribune, it is apparent that most women when questioned stated that their stay at Darul Aman had been satisfactory and unproblematic. However, two women did raise complaints about mistreatment, uncleanliness, lack of privacy, bad food and being charged to communicate with their relatives, all of which much the first complainant, Sana’s allegations against Darul Aman.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 31^st, 2024.