Islamabad, January 3, 2019: Violence against children in form of sexual abuse continues unabated and civil society especially child rights advocates are concerned over the never ending cases being reported daily, said activists of Child Rights Movement in a press conference held at the National Press Club on Wednesday.
Speaking to media, Safdar Raza, a prominent child rights advocate said that the brutal rape and murder case of three-year old minor girl Faryal in Havelian area of Abbotabad district has once again led togrief and anger to bring justice to the crimes perpetrated against the child. He emphasized that the primary responsibility lies with the State to protect children through proper implementation of national laws.
Eleven children in Pakistan are reported being sexually abused every day which is just the tip of the iceberg, according to Sahil’s spokesperson Mumtaz Gohar. He also called upon the families especially parents to be vigilant towards their children’s whereabouts in order to minimize the risk of assault.
Syed Kausar Abbas, Executive Director of Sustainable Social Development Organization (SSDO) said that Child Rights Movement expresses its dismay over the escalating numbers of Child Sexual Abuse (CSA) cases followed by murder of minors from all parts of the country. Civil society calls upon the government to strictly implement the existing laws on child sexual abuse and also legislate on gaps and lacuna’s that makes it easier for perpetrators to escape. He said that the government has already made national action plan to counter such issues at local level. The Vigilance Committees Act 2016 was made two years ago but still there is no implementation of Vigilance Committees Act 2016. These Vigilance Committees and the local councils can be used to identify the culprits who are involved at local level in child sexual abuse but the Government has not yet made any strategy to implement such laws, Abbas added. The Ministry for Interior and the Prime Minister Office should immediately take steps to call a consultation to develop a strategy to counter child sexual abuse instead of just taking notice, we need implementation and actions now.
Minal Kiani from Research Department SPARC said the investigation process and evidence collection of such cases demands speedy action by the police without delays. She also shared that the initial fact finding by SPARC Hazara office and the local media shows that minor girl had seven sisters whereas her father was martyred during his service in army. It is suspected that following the remarriage of Faryal’s mother with one of her deceased husband’s brother, some enmity also arose in the family. Meanwhile police investigation is ongoing.
The CRM activists staged a protest after the press conference through a walk to D-Chowk and chanted slogans on violence against children.
