MULTAN: So far, around 48 cases of rape have been reported to the first Anti-Rape Crisis Cell (ARCC) set up at Multan’s Nishtar Hospital.
Sidra Humayun, coordinator of the United Nations Women’s Programme in Punjab, conveyed this to Multan Commissioner Maryam Khan during a briefing.
The cell works with the Punjab Health Ministry, UN Women and the US government to provide medical assistance and access to evidence-based justice for women and children who are victims of sexual violence, Sidra Humayun said.
She said this cell is part of a protection programme in collaboration with the United States and was established by the Punjab Health Ministry with technical assistance from the United Nations Women. The Rape Crisis Cell is operational 24 hours a day, she added.
Maryam Khan said that the creation of a rape crisis cell in Multan is an important development because of the important role it plays in the administration of justice.
The initiative symbolizes the seriousness of the government’s ongoing fight against sexual violence, adding that it will immediately convene a conference on previously reported cases to advance the process of bringing justice to victims. —APP
