Senate Standing Committee on Interior Chairman Senator Rehman Malik has expressed his dismay over the alarming increase in child sexual abuse incidents across the country. He stressed the need for appropriate legislation suggesting more stringent punishment for those who commit such heinous crimes against the children.
Senator A. Rehman Malik chaired a discussion on “Working paper on Tackling Child Sexual Abuse” and ‘Zainab Alert Bill’ today which was attended by Major General Syed Khalid Amir Jaffery HI (M), (Retd), President CGSS, Babur Sohail, Major General Hafiz Masroor Ahmed (Retd), Mr. Masud Malik, Brigadier Akhtar Nawaz Janjua (Retd) and others. Senator A. Rehman Malik said that ‘Zainab Alert Bill’ was the need of the hour which is a good data collection bill and focused on the punishment of the officials if show negligence while investigating and dealing with child abuse cases. He said that the Bill is under consideration in the Upper House where valuable input and suggestions are being given by members of all parties to make it more effective and comprehensive legislation. He added that there is a dire need to introduce legislation so that the recurrence of Child Sexual abuses could be curbed once for all inducing the Child Protection Act. Meanwhile, he has also urged all the Provincial Assemblies to adopt the Bill with necessary amendments appropriating to their requirements as the ‘Zainab Alert Bill’ is only applicable in the Islamabad Capital Territory. He suggested that necessary amendments be made before the bill is presented in the Provincial Assemblies. He said that the government should launch campaigns to create awareness on the prevention, protection, and redressal of child abuse among parents, teachers, and the public. He asked the government that awareness contents about child abuse should be included in the syllabus in government and private schools and also in the syllabus of religious seminaries. He stressed that child abuse education is important so that our children may recognize different approaches to child abuse. He said that individual and society as a whole has to play their role and for the said purpose Masajid and Madrassa can be used as community centers. He said that the Bill must ensure the rehabilitation of the surviving victim children and there should be rehabilitation programs for those children at all levels duly sponsored by the government.
