Gender based domestic
violence is one of the harsh realities in the third world. Every day the media
reports cases of atrocities that are faced by helpless victims. Few of these
are ever brought to justice due to communal pressures and loop holes in the
legal system. Acid and kerosene oil burning is a gender specific crime. Young
girls and women are the common victims of this crime. Although the mortality
rate is low the survival is considered by victims to be a fate worse than
death. The crime has long term repercussions comprising physical disfiguration
and often immobility and psychological complications.
According to an independent
survey carried out by Depilex Smileagain Foundation (DSF) there were 242 cases
of burnt victims in Pakistan in 2011. 153 of these cases were a result of
intentional violence whereas 89 were accidental cases. The number of victims of
Acid Attacks and Set-on-Fire has increased by 31% and 47% respectively since
2010, which is very alarming in these modern times where there are tens of NGOs
looking after Human and Women Rights.
These numbers are bound to
be more than mentioned because only a few have the courage to report such
issues and most cases go unreported. Over 450 victims have been registered in
DSF, an NGO which has been working on this issue since years. Thank God such
Foundations exist because the legal system and the Government has not done much
to reduce such cases of dreadful violence let alone helping the victims.
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