Summary At least 595 cases of sexual abuse were reported in 2010
LAHORE (Dunya News) – Punjab has the highest percentage of juvenile offenders in the country and still there is not a single court dedicated exclusively to juvenile cases. Lahore Sessions Court and first-class judicial magistrates continue to function as juvenile courts.
According to the first ever joint report by the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) and the Commissioner’s Children Complaint Office of Pakistan, Punjab reports to have the highest percentage of under-age offenders who are charged mostly with murder, attempted murder, dacoity, robbery, sex related crimes and drugs related crimes.
The children sexual abuse percentage climbs up to at least 77 percent in the province.
Punjab Borstal Rules 1932 covers separate sleeping facility, proper food and water supply, clothing and sanitary arrangements for the juveniles kept in jails.
The key debate between the civil society activists and the government is the question of who should supervise the Borstal institutions? The prison department wants to keep the charge of the correctional facilities while the activists believe that the institutions must staff trained officials to treat them the young offenders with care who are able to make a sincere effort of correcting their path.
According to Sahil, a nonprofit organisation that focuses primarily on child sexual abuse, at least 595 cases of sexual abuse were reported in 2010. As many as 723 (77 percent) cases were reported from Punjab.
