Fourth grader 'raped by watchman' on campus

Girl student's sexual assault sparks protests, outrage

PESHAWAR:

When parents send their offspring to school, the last thing they expect is for their child to be sexually assaulted on campus by the school watchman, but that is exactly what occurred in Swabi to a fourth-grade girl student. The incident has sparked outrage and protests in the province's capital city.

Police confirmed the 12-year-old girl was targeted within the premises of the school. An FIR was registered at the Kalu Khan police station against the incident which occurred on October 15.

The Swabi police acted swiftly and arrested the accused watchman, Liaquat Ali. Swabi District Police Officer Haroon Rasheed told The Express Tribune that as soon as the police were informed, they took immediate action and apprehended the suspect.

Charges under the Child Protection Act and other sections have been included in the case, while a medical team was assigned to care for the victim. The DPO mentioned that a special team was formed, under the supervision of the Swabi SP Investigation, to conduct a thorough probe into the shocking crime.

Previously, in 2022, there were incidents of sexual assault against girls in Peshawar, including two who were murdered after being assaulted in the Saddar area, whereas another girl survived after her horrific ordeal. These incidents occurred in Gulberg, the Saddar railway station, and Kali Bari areas.

A 30-year-old suspect was arrested when his DNA matched. Additionally, in Budh Ber, a girl was also sexually assaulted and her body was discarded; the police later apprehended the accused.

According to the Peshawar police, during the first seven months of 2024, there were 17 cases reported of sexual assault against children, with FIRs lodged each, naming 44 suspects, 36 of whom were arrested.

According to data from Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa police, from 2019 to 2022, there were 1,233 reported cases of sexual assault against children in the province. As many as 185 of the cases were registered in 2019, 323 in 2020, 360 in 2021, and 365 in 2022.

Information obtained by Express Tribune indicates that the actual number of such cases is likely to be much greater, as many incidents, which occur in tribal or mostly affluent areas, often go unreported. Many families of the affected children tend to hide these incidents due to fear and shame.

Child rights activist Imran Ali Takkar told The Express Tribune that while the Child Protection Act exists in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, its implementation is not as it should be.

"Incidents of forced and sexual violence against children are increasing every year." Takkar noted that the law established to address sexual assault against children includes severe penalties, and in the past, significant sentences have indeed been given to culprits in major cases.

Meanwhile, a protest was held in Peshawar, led by Pakistan Peoples Party leader and former MPA Nighat Orakzai, against the incidents of sexual assault on girls in Lahore and Swabi.

A large number of students participated in the protest, demanding that the perpetrators of these crimes be given swift and severe punishment.

The protesters stated that those who commit crimes against children should be brought to justice as soon as possible. They called on the government and judiciary to take immediate and transparent action in such serious cases to ensure justice for the affected families and to set an example in society.

Former MPA Nighat Orakzai said that incidents of sexual assault on girls are not only deeply painful for the affected families, but also a source of shame for the entire nation.