SEXUAL VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN AND CHILDREN IN LAHORE, PAKISTAN: A CRIMINOLOGICAL ANALYSIS OF HIGH-PROFILE CASES AND LEGAL RESPONSES (2020–2026)

Abstract

Sexual violence against women and children remains a serious and underreported crime in Pakistan, with Lahore serving as Punjab’s principal centre for reporting, forensic examination, and prosecution of sexual offences. Major changes in the criminal justice response were aimed at strengthening the criminal justice response between 2020 and 2026, such as the Anti-Rape (Investigation and Trial) Act, 2021 and the creation of Gender Based Violence (GBV) courts. This study analyzes the criminal and legal aspects of sexual violence in Lahore in this period, analyzes top cases, judicial reactions, and the effectiveness of the reforms after 2020. Secondary data obtained from legislation, Lahore High Court judgments, HRCP, WHO, UNODC, forensic medicine studies and credible media reports was used in a qualitative doctrinal case-study design. Data analysis was carried out based on the thematic and doctrinal legal analysis. The results show that institutional changes have lagged behind legal changes. There was an upsurge in reporting of rape cases, however, the conviction rate still remains low with comparatively better outcomes in specialised GBV courts. The forensic capacity is still weak, judicial follow-up is inadequate and there is still no specific data on crime in Lahore so accountability and justice continue to be hampered. The high-profile convictions illustrate that effective prosecutions can be made, but that this is an exceptional rather than representative case. The study finds that the problem of sexual violence in Lahore exists due to the issues of the weak institutions, lack of forensic resources, lack of transparency in data sharing and social stigma. It puts forward the need to build the capacity of GBV courts, develop forensic capacity and investigative capacity, protect victims and build Integrated Digital Case Management Systems to enhance justice outcomes.