PESHAWAR, Sept 10: Society for the Protection of the Rights of the Child (Sparc) on Tuesday expressed concern over the increasing incidents  of sexual assault on schoolgirls and asked the government to safeguard them.

A press release of Sparc said it was shocking that teenage girls were being raped or sexually assaulted and it was the responsibility of the govern-ment to put brakes on such incidents.

Referring to a news item that appeared on Tuesday, regarding assault on a student of seventh class by a teacher, it said such incidents had become the order of the day but the government was a silent spectator and no action was forthcoming.

The society also expressed anger over the sexual assault, torture and barbaric killing of an 11-year-old domestic worker, Samina, at the hands of  her employer in Lahore.

It condemned the government for its failure to protect the rights of the children and called for action against the perpetrators of such crimes. It asked the government to take notice of domestic child labour and make legislation to safeguard the rights of children working in the  houses.