By A Staff Reporter
Kathmandu, Sept. 9: Rape cases continue to rise in Nepal despite strict law in place, according to the latest data of the Women Rehabilitation Center (WOREC).
As many as 112 cases of rape were reported in the month of Shrawan (mid-July to mid-August), the report unveiled by the WOREC said. During the same period, 24 cases of sexual abuse and 11 cases of attempted rape were reported.
According to the data maintained by WOREC, the incidents of rape increased by 2.6 per cent in the month of Shrawan compared to the period of four months’ lockdown (March 24-July 21) imposed to contain the COVID-19 outbreak.
The report stated that approximately three to four rape cases were reported on the daily basis. Similarly, as many as 345 cases of violence against women (VAW) were recorded in various places during the period, said Lubharaj Neupane, Executive Director of WOREC.
Of them, 117 were the cases of domestic violence, 36 of social violence, 17 of murder, 12 cases of attempt to murder, eights cases of suicide, four cases of human trafficking, two cases of cybercrime and one acid attack, he added.
According to the report, the relation between the victims and the perpetrators showed that neighbours accounted for 99 VAW cases ( 29 per cent), followed by husband in 98 cases (28 per cent), family members in 71 cases (21 per cent), close ones in 16 cases, service providers in 10 cases, friends in eight cases and teachers in five cases.
The data further showed majority of the victims of violence against women belonged to the age group of 17-25 years followed by 26-35 years.
Comparatively, the number of reported cases of violence against women continued to rise during the time of pandemic.
The number of rape cases continued to rise despite the presence of strict laws in Nepal, he said.
The data maintained by WOREC showed that during the month of Chaitra, 185 cases of violence against women were reported, 185 in Baisakh, 393 in Jestha and 440 cases in Ashad.
Comparatively, cases of violence against women have somehow declined after the lifting the lockdown.
“Analysing the report, one can say that women were not safe in any place. They are not safe even from the people they spend most of their time,” he said.
He said law alone would not control the instances of violence against women, change in the mindset towards women in the society is essential to end such crimes.