ASIA/PAKISTAN - Rapes and violence are not reported by victims for fear of being "labelled"

Karachi (Agenzia Fides) - In Pakistan, many rapes, considered a "brand", are unreported and, therefore, there are no precise data on the phenomenon. However, the Department of State of the United States in the 2010 Report on Human Rights declared 928 cases of violence against women. Equally rare in the country is the prosecution of the perpetrators. Local police and NGOs have reported false accusations of rape, which reduce the ability of the police to assess the real cases and proceed with trials. The NGOs also argue that many of the same police forces are involved in the violence, abusing victims or threatening them, asking them to drop the charges, especially when they receive a bribe from alleged perpetrators. In its annual 2010 report, the autonomous Human Rights Commission of Pakistan reported 2,903 violence against women, 8 per day. The NGO in Karachi "War Against Rape," has recently said that the data collected in three hospitals and on behalf of the police underline that, in the city, the average age of victims has decreased since last year from 18 to 13 years. Besides, only a minority of cases reported by hospitals were brought to the attention of the police. In rural areas, the reluctance to report rapes is even stronger. This rejection entails the lack of any psychological support for the surviving victims, who need advice and help. (AP) (Agenzia Fides 10/11/2011)