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Tag: child abuse

  • Doctors conduct plastic surgery on child abuse survivor Rizwana

    Doctors conduct plastic surgery on child abuse survivor Rizwana

    Trigger warning: domestic violence, child abuse

    Teenage domestic helper Rizwana has received plastic surgery from doctors on her face, while her head injuries were disinfected during the procedure, ARY has reported. Hospital sources say the procedure was three hours long, while the possibility two or three more plastic surgeries in the future cannot be ruled out.

    “She was shifted to the ward after applying bandage on her wounds,” the doctors said.

    The horrifying case shocked Pakistan when the teenage domestic helper was tortured and abused while working at a civil judge’s home in Islamabad, after she was accused of stealing jewelry. The family has revealed the girl was not paid a single penny by the family for the extensive workload she was doing.

    Since the case went viral, actress and children rights activist Nadia Jamil spoke out publicly against employing children for domestic labor, leading a campaign to get the perpetuators arrested, while prominent celebrities like Mahira Khan, Wahaj Ali and Hamza Ali Abbasi have also lend their voice.

    Jamil shared an update yesterday that Rizwana had opened her eyes, but was still in casts.

  • TW: Policeman sets his 14-year-old wife on fire over dowry

    TW: Policeman sets his 14-year-old wife on fire over dowry

    TRIGGER WARNING: abuse, domestic violence

    A 14-year-old girl married to a policeman in Sialkot has been set on fire after her husband became unhappy with the dowry provided to him.

    According to the complaint filed with the Sialkot police by labourer Tariq Mahmood, his daughter Muneeb Fatima, was married to Constable Waqas Nazir, who was posted at the Satrah Police Station, of Pasrur Tehsil. The marriage took place five months ago, however , when he went to visit their home, he was told by his daughter’s in-laws that she was happy and did not want to meet him.

    Speaking to DAWN, Mahmood elaborated that when Fatima came back to visit him after five months, she revealed details of torture, including being burnt by a clothing iron and being kept in chains.

    Mahmood further reported that his daughter was set on fire by her husband after he sprinkled petrol on her. When the labourer confronted Waqas, he was shot at and given death threats.

    Mahmood said his daughter was tortured by both her husband and his sister, Sadaf.

    Muneeb Fatima is receiving treatment at Tehsil Headquaters Hospital, Pasrur.

    The abuser, according to Dawn, made calls to a journalist and threatened to have him killed. The police, under the orders of the DPO, made several threatening calls to the journalist.

    According to the a spokesperson for the Sialkot district police, Waqas Nazir has been suspended by the DPO, while an inquiry has been launched against him.

  • Next 24 hours critical for tortured 13-year-old, attempted murder case registered against judge, wife

    Next 24 hours critical for tortured 13-year-old, attempted murder case registered against judge, wife

    According to the doctors of the General Hospital in Lahore, the next 24 hours are critical for the teenaged domestic worker allegedly tortured by an Islamabad Judicial Complex administrative officer and his wife.

    Rizwana, 13, is admitted at the General Hospital to receive treatment for the injuries she sustained. The girl’s condition was better at night but became critical in the morning.

    On the other hand, new charges have been added to the First Information Report (FIR) after Rizwana’s recent medical report was issued.

    A section on attempted murder and one about breaking bones have been added to the case registered at the Hamak police station in Islamabad.

    The shocking incident of severe torture on a teenage maid allegedly perpetrated by the wife of a civil judge in Islamabad has sparked widespread outrage and condemnation. The victim, a resident of Sargodha, was shifted to Lahore General Hospital on Monday, prompting an investigation into accusations against the judge’s wife.

    Despite the public outcry, the Lahore High Court (LHC) has granted protective bail until August 1 to Soumia Asim, wife of Civil Judge Asim Hafeez. Authorities have said that investigation into the matter is ongoing and all involved individuals are being probed, with appropriate legal action being taken.

    The Islamabad police have also recorded statements from both the victim and her father, though the medical report is still awaited. Despite the gravity of the crime, the investigation is being conducted by the relevant police station and not by the Special Sexual Offence Investigation Unit (SSOIU) under the Anti-Rape (Investigation and Trial) Act 2021, which has a specific mandate to handle offenses against juveniles.

    Efforts to apprehend the accused have so far proven unsuccessful. The police conducted raids in Rawalpindi, Lahore, and Gujranwala but were unable to locate the judge’s wife, who had obtained pre-arrest bail.

    According to the medico-legal certificate (MLC) issued for the teenage girl, the extent of her injuries was distressing. The report revealed lacerations on her head, face, and body, including broken teeth, bruises, and signs of strangulation. The girl’s harrowing ordeal came to light when her father, a laborer, filed a complaint with the Humak police station. Initially displaying reluctance, Islamabad police eventually registered a First Information Report (FIR) on July 26, charging the judge’s wife with criminal intimidation and wrongful confinement.

    However, the FIR made no mention of the physical torture the victim endured, even though the medical report clearly pointed to such abuse, as reported by Dawn.

    As public awareness of the case grows, civil society and human rights organizations have called for a thorough investigation and the appropriate punishment of those responsible for subjecting the young maid to such cruelty.

    The case has highlighted the issue of child labor, which is considered a criminal offense under the law. The public is urged to report any such incidents to the police to protect vulnerable individuals from abuse and exploitation.

  • 69 per cent of child abuse victims are boys, report reveals

    69 per cent of child abuse victims are boys, report reveals

    A ‘confidential’ report from the home department has revealed that the number of boys facing atrocities of child abuse is higher than that of girls in Punjab.

    Dawn shared the findings of the said report on Friday, revealing that during the first five and a half months of 2023, a total of 1,390 incidents of child abuse were reported in Punjab, among them 69 per cent were boys while 31 per cent were girls.

    The report identified several key factors hindering the control of sexual crimes against children and it also provided recommendations to combat them.

    The report disclosed that out of all the culprits facing trials in courts in cases of child abuse, 55 per cent were neighbors, 32 per cent were strangers, and 13 per cent were relatives.

    Furthermore, the report revealed that Gujranwala region/division reported the highest number of child abuse incidents (220), followed by DG Khan (199), Faisalabad (186), Multan (140), Bahawalpur (129), Sheikhupura (128), Sahiwal (127), Sargodha (103), and others. The Rawalpindi region and Lahore city had the lowest numbers, with 69 and 89 cases, respectively.

    “It is also concerning that many cases go unreported. Fear and cultural taboos in our society make it difficult to report such crimes,” read the findings of the report. It underscored that lack of support from family members, friends, neighbors, or the community makes it immensely difficult for the victim to speak up against the abuser.

    The home department recommended that the Child Protection and Welfare Bureau (CPWB) play a more active role in child protection. It suggested that the CPWB should have a dedicated team of professionals, including child protection officers, psychologists, law officers, and doctors, to safeguard children from abuse and aid victim rehabilitation.

    The report stressed the need for a well-defined coordination mechanism among different stakeholders, including police, parents, CPWBs, and relevant federal and provincial agencies. It strongly recommended that national and provincial legislatures review existing child protection laws and reform the existing apparatus.

    The home department has sent the report to the Lahore Capital City Police Officer (CCPO) and the Regional Police Officers (RPOs) for strict implementation of provided recommendations.

  • How to use familiar language with children to tell them about good and bad touch

    How to use familiar language with children to tell them about good and bad touch

    It seems that instances of child molestation and sexual abuse will never end.

    An 8 year girl in Islamabad was sexually assaulted in Shahzad Town area on Friday. The rapist managed to escape from the crime scene, in the presence of area residents.


    This should worry us all. As parents, as guardians, as relatives and as friends of people who have baby girls, who we dote on, we should all be alarmed.
    When discussing the topic of good touch and bad touch with your minor kids, it’s important to approach the conversation in a gentle and age-appropriate manner. Here are some suggestions on how to have a soft and conversational discussion:

    Choose an appropriate time and setting


    Find a calm and comfortable environment where your children feel at ease and can focus on the conversation without distractions.

    Use simple and understandable language:


    Adapt your language to the age of your children. Use words and phrases that they can easily understand and relate to. Avoid using complex or scary terms.

    Start with positive touches:


    Begin the conversation by talking about different types of touches that are generally considered good or positive. For example, you can mention hugs from family members, holding hands with friends, or receiving a pat on the back.

    Define personal boundaries


    Explain to your children that their bodies are their own and that they have the right to decide who can touch them and how. Teach them to recognize and trust their instincts when they feel uncomfortable with a touch or a situation.

    Introduce the concept of bad touches


    In a calm and reassuring manner, explain that there are certain touches that are not appropriate or safe. Emphasize that no one should touch their private parts (parts covered by a swimsuit) except for medical reasons and only in the presence of a trusted adult, like a doctor or parent.

    Encourage open communication


    Let your children know that they can always come to you or another trusted adult to talk about any uncomfortable experiences or if they have any questions. Assure them that they won’t get in trouble for speaking up and that you are there to support and protect them.

    Role-play and practice scenarios


    Engage in role-playing activities where you and your children can practice different scenarios. Teach them to say “no” assertively and to seek help from a trusted adult if they encounter an uncomfortable touch.

    Reinforce the message over time


    Remember that this conversation is not a one-time event. As your children grow and develop, it’s important to reinforce the message regularly and adapt the conversation to their increasing understanding.

    Use age-appropriate resources


    Consider using age-appropriate books, videos, or online resources that discuss the topic of good touch and bad touch in a child-friendly manner. These resources can complement your conversation and help reinforce the concepts.

    Remember, the goal is to create a safe and open space for your children to ask questions and understand the importance of boundaries and consent.

  • TRIGGER WARNING: Lodhran court sentences man to 25 years in prison for raping daughter

    A court in the Lodhran has sentenced a man to 25 years in prison and subjected to Rs 1,00,000 fine for torturing and raping his 15 year old daughter, as reported by Express Tribune.

    The rape case was filed by the survivor’s paternal aunt, Yasan, who revealed that she was suspicious when the father, Irshad, brought the girl to her house unconscious.

    The complainant told the police that after the girl woke up, she confessed to her aunt that her father had drugged and tortured her. When she and other witnesses approached Irshad, he confessed to the crime.

    The aunt urged the police to take strict action against the rapist.

  • ‘Support us to stop child abuse on 5th Jan’: Nadia Jamil urges followers

    ‘Support us to stop child abuse on 5th Jan’: Nadia Jamil urges followers

    Actress Nadia Jamil has been at the forefront of demanding better conditions for orphaned children, providing a prominent voice for children who are sold into begging or prostitution. Today, the actress used her Twitter platform to remind followers that on January 5, a protest would be held on Liberty Roundabout in Lahore at 11 am to raise awareness about child sexual abuse and neglect. Her post read:

    “Tomorrow is #Jan5th Please tag as many Lahores as you can,2 ask them 2 show up @ Liberty Market Roundabout @ 11am. We are walking 2 #SayNoToChildAbuse Be part of the solution. Silence encourages the crime! Give a voice 2 children who have no voice. Step out of your comfort zone.”

    The actress has consistently used her social media platform to educate her followers on the rights of children, especially spreading awareness on how important it is for parents to take mental assesment and therapy before choosing to have children.

    Jamil also explained that her desire to spread awareness on child sexual abuse and encourage better policies towards protection of children was due to her own experience of facing sexual abuse as a child. She wrote that she hopes to be more responsible and take care of children around her.

    Nadia Jamil had spoken up about suffering from sexual abuse as a child when in a Twitter post, she shared how it had taken two years for her to fight the depression and sadness she had felt after the experience, but now was healed and thriving.

  • Child actors behind 1968 film ‘Romeo and Juliet’ sue Paramount Pictures over nude scene

    Child actors behind 1968 film ‘Romeo and Juliet’ sue Paramount Pictures over nude scene

    Actors Olivia Hussey and Leonard Whiting, who starred in the 1968 film Romeo and Juliet, have filed a suit against Paramount Pictures for child abuse and exploitation. Both Hussey and Whiting starred in the film when they were 15 and 16 years old respectively, winning Golden Globes for their performance.


    According to the suit filed in Santa Monica last week, the actors said that a bedroom scene in the filmed with both actors in the nude while their breasts and buttocks were visible. They have said that this amounts to child exploitation. The suit followed with the revelation that the film’s director Franco Zeffireli, who died in 2019, had pressurized both actors into performing the scene, warning them that otherwise ‘the film would fail’. The director had promised both his leads that there would be no nude scenes and both actors would be covered by flesh-colored underwear.


    “Defendants were dishonest and secretly filmed the nude or partially nude minor children without their knowledge, in violation of the state and federal laws regulating indecency and exploitation of minors for profit,” the suit has alleged.


    The statement further revealed how both actors, who are now in their 70’s, suffered mental and emotional anguish in the five and a half decades since the film’s release, and did limited effort to progress their careers.


    The actors representative, Solomon Gresen, spoke with AFP about how Paramount Pictures had participated in sexual exploitation of the children, since both actors were under 16 years old and their nude scenes were visible in the film.


    “(Paramount) have images that they know are images of underage nudity that should be removed from the film. That would be the beginning for sure. Sexually explicit images of children are bad and they shouldn’t be tolerated. If they were under 16, then they’re under 16. It’s a sexually explicit image of an underage person, it should be forbidden.”

  • Mehdi Kazmi, wife will meet daughter for the first time in six months

    Mehdi Kazmi, wife will meet daughter for the first time in six months

    Mehdi Kazmi and his wife will meet their daughter tomorrow (Thursday) at the Child Protection Centre on the orders of Sindh High Court (SHC).


    “Finally after six months on directions of Hon’ SHC Mehdi Kazmi & his wife will meet with their daughter tomorrow at the Child Protection Centre & Sec Health has been directed to appoint two Mental Health Experts to evaluate the child for any trauma and mental state,” lawyer Jibran Nasir wrote in a tweet.

    Their 15-year-old daughter was allegedly kidnapped from Karachi. She married Zaheer Ahmed in Lahore. The court had earlier sent the girl to a shelter home following her recovery from Punjab.

  • Chinese national arrested for raping teenage girl for months in Islamabad

    Chinese national arrested for raping teenage girl for months in Islamabad

    The girl had filed a complaint against the Chinese national at the Koral police station in the capital.

    According to First Information Report (FIR), the 16-year-old girl is a grade 9 student who has been working as a translator for a Chinese national on a monthly pay of Rs15,000 since May 2021.
    The man raped her for months, threatening her with dire consequences if she resisted.


    The girl became pregnant but did not tell her family. Her elder sister, however, found out and rushed her to a private hospital in F-8, where doctors found her to be over 31 weeks pregnant. Later, the sister approached the police to file a report.

    According to the police, the suspect had been arrested and his passport has also been confiscated.