Staff Correspondent

Rape and violence against women were more frequent in 2020 than in the previous years, rights body Ain O Salish Kendra said yesterday.

It mentioned that incidents of gang rape, murder after rape, sexual harassment and domestic violence have occurred too often.

At least 1,627 women were raped or gang raped across the country, of whom 53 were killed after rape and 14 died by suicide. The number of rape victims was 1,413 in 2019 and 732 in 2018, ASK mentioned in its annual report.

The report based on media reports, was released at a virtual programme yesterday.

ASK said the actual number of rape victims would be much higher as many women do not report abuse.

FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION

The freedom of expression has been curtailed and repression increased during the pandemic, ASK said in its report.

The number of cases filed under the Digital Security Act has increased. At least 129 cases were filed under DSA in 2020 accusing 268 people, it added.