Despite Stiffer Penalties, Acid Attacks Continue in Pakistan

Posted on by 施達基金會

[ePrayer – Pray for women vulnerable to acid attacks]

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Five months back, a scorched 26-year-old woman named Ruqqaiya Perween was brought to the Civil Hospital’s Burns Centre. Scarred for life with burns on 22% of her face and upper body, the mother of four said her husband flung acid on her while she was asleep with her children – and some even fell on them. ‘Since my marriage 12 years ago, I’ve never had a day’s peace. Beating me up was a regular pastime of his,’ she said. It was always because her husband needed the money that she earned as domestic helper.

Despite stiffer sentences for offenders, ranging from 14 years to life imprisonment and a fine of one million rupees (US 10,000 dollars), since the Acid Crime Prevention Act was modified in 2011, campaigners say the number of women doused in acid has increased 89% in 2012. In addition, 70% of acid crime victims are women, and in 60% of cases the attacks occur during family disputes. In the last couple of years, especially after a Pakistani film named ‘Saving Face’ won an Oscar award in 2012, there has been increased conversation around this form of violence – which may actually have given some men the idea. [IPS]

Pray for women vulnerable to acid attacks:

  • Pray for God’s healing to Ruqqaiya Perween and other victims of acid attacks;
  • Pray for God’s protection to those women and children who are vulnerable to acid attacks and domestic violence;
  • Pray that God will transform the evil hearts of human to stop any kind of violence.