LAHORE: Civil society demonstrated on Saturday demanding a zero tolerance policy for rapists and child sexual abusers.

They gathered under the umbrella of Rawadari Tehreek at Charing Cross and demanded that special sessions of provincial and national assemblies and Senate to address the matter and to evaluate the current laws and lacunas and formulate effective implementation mechanisms to stop rape and child sexual abuse.

Special attention must be given to ensure justice be given to the sexual abuse survivors and their families. Chairman of the Rawadari Tehreek Samson Salamat said that children must be educated by teachers and parents alike about good touch and bad touch to avoid sexual abuse.

“Safe and fully equipped rehabilitation centres should be established for the victims of rape and child sexual abuse,” he said.

The protest falls under the Rwadari Tehreek’s anti-rape and child sexual abuse campaign to draw the attention of federal and provincial governments towards the growing incidents and trends of child sexual abuse. Mr Samson said that it was sad that every day dozens of both male and female children were subjected to sexual abuse and violence but unfortunately the governments and authorities had turned blind eyes toward these serious violations of human rights and the victims are being denied justice because of the lacunas in the justice system.

He added that similar protests and other activities would be held in other provinces and cities to mainstream the issue and draw the attention of the government and other stake-holders.

Published in Dawn, June 16th, 2019