A married woman, who was a victim of rape, died after setting herself on fire on Tuesday in front of a police station in Saddar area of Muzaffargarh. Sonia Bibi, wife of Mushtaq, a resident of Deenpur area, was allegedly raped by three persons, sources at the Nishtar Hospital said. Mushtaq had earlier alleged Qayyum and two others of raping his wife, the sources added. Depressed by the slacking attitude of the police, the victim, doused with petrol, set herself on fire, received severe burn injuries, and soon succumbed to her injuries. The attitude of law-enforcement agencies and those given the responsibility to uphold the criminal justice system is a major hindrance for women (and men) who want to come forward with complaints of sexual harassment and rape. Victims, no matter how courageous, instead either have to face apathy or judging gazes, adding to the insecurity already being felt — and are then pushed to do the unthinkable. The Punjab chief minister has offered monetary compensation to the girl’s family as well as a job for her brother. This system, while it may financially aid the girl’s family, has no bearing in serving justice. One hopes fervently that the anti-rape Bill will one day help not only in taking to task the perpetrators in this particular case, but also the police officers responsible for the victim’s suicide. In a society where even parents end up exhorting their children to keep silent on matters of sexual harassment for the ‘sanctity’ and ‘reputation’ of the family, the role of the police and other keepers of justice becomes even more paramount for helping survivors.
pk.shafaqna.com
