Pakistan Christian Girl Awaits Justice After Abuse
By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News
ISLAMABAD (Worthy News) – A Christian girl in Pakistan who worked as a domestic servant is still awaiting justice three months after she was raped at her employer’s home, representatives say.
Although the incident was reported to the police, no action has been taken to arrest those responsible, according to Christians familiar with the case.
The girl from the city of Faisalabad in Punjab province, only identified as Samreen, reportedly worked for a Muslim woman named Nasreen.
Worthy News, in general, does not fully identify victims of sexual abuse. “On September 25th, Samreen was folding laundry while her employer went to the market. During that time, Nasreen’s husband Ameen, and his cousin Waqas, came into the house and attempted to rape the young woman,” said the Centre for Legal Aid, Assistance and Settlement (CLAAS)
Samreen managed to escape the men, complaining to Nasreen upon her return. Instead of supporting the girl, however, the employer sided with her husband, according to Christians.
With the apparent approval of Nasreen, Ameen and Waqas allegedly tried a second time to assault the girl and raped her.
After the ordeal, Samreen eventually returned home to tell her family what had happened, Christians said. Although an official complaint was made against those responsible, no arrests were reported.
AWAITING JUSTICE
“In the meantime, the abusers continue to threaten Samreen and her family, demanding that the Christians withdraw their accusations,” said the Voice Of the Martyrs Canada (VOMC) advocacy group.
It will be difficult for Samreen’s family to get justice as they are poor, which is commonly the case for Christians in Pakistan, according to rights activists.
“Sexual molestation, forced marriages, along with other horrific crimes, are far too common for victims belonging to a religious minority,” including Christians, VOMC told Worthy News.
“Frequently ignored by the authorities, such crimes are not always reported because of the repercussions that tend to take place. Not only by the perpetrators themselves but also by other militant members of the community.“
VOMC said it had asked for prayers “for this greatly needed emotional healing on behalf of this young Christian woman.”
It said it hopes authorities of Pakistan, a strict Islamic nation, will still be “holding those responsible for this horrific attack accountable” and ensure “the legal protection of Pakistan’s vulnerable young women and girls.”
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