Domestic Violence in KP Increased by 45 Percent During Lockdown

The statistics provided by the Social Welfare Department of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) reveal that the ratio of domestic violence in the province surged by 45 percent, with the highest cases reported in four KP districts.

The ratio of physical, sexual, and psychological violence, as well as cases of burns and cyber harassment, increased by 45 percent in the districts of Nowshera, Mardan, Swabi, and Peshawar.

Sahar Khan, the Project Director of the Bolo Helpline of the provincial Social Welfare Department, said,

It is encouraging that we receive reports but what we saw during the COVID-19 lockdown made us conclude that the ratio of violence has increased, and this was alarming for us.

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Khan claimed that the Bolo helpline has helped women and has provided a platform for them to seek help, adding that police officers reach victims immediately after receiving calls and provide them with safety, protection, and legal aid.

“We have reported 349 cases of physical and sexual abuse, cyber harassment, burn, and rape, and the services needed were police protection, legal aid and counseling, shelter and medical aid,” Khan noted.

A mobile crisis unit has been set up as well to provide rescue services to the victims.

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Khan also revealed that issues had been resolved via mediation and psychosocial counseling several times.

The Bolo Helpline services are currently available in only six districts of KP, and officials believe that it might be expanded to other districts considering the increase in the ratio of violence.