Kathmandu— A series of deeply disturbing incidents involving the sexual assault and murder of young girls in both Nepal and Pakistan has sparked widespread outrage and renewed calls for stricter punishments for rapists. The cases – a five-year-old girl from Pachthar, an 18-month-old baby in Karachi, and three-year-old Garima Chaudhary in Simara – have ignited public grief and prompted discussions about the need for capital punishment as a deterrent to these heinous crimes, particularly given that perpetrators are often known to the victims.

Recent Cases Highlight Growing Crisis

The author details being deeply affected by a case from Pachthar, Nepal, where a five-year-old girl was raped by her grandfather and uncle. This incident was followed shortly by news of an 18-month-old baby in Karachi, Pakistan, who died after being sexually assaulted by a 17-year-old cousin. Most recently, three-year-old Garima Chaudhary was raped and murdered in Simara, Nepal, with two suspects already in police custody. The author emphasizes the heartbreaking frequency of these events, noting that all involved perpetrators known to their victims – relatives or acquaintances.

Understanding Offender Psychology

The article explores the complex psychology behind sexual abuse, citing Xanthe Weston’s observation that not all individuals with attraction to children are necessarily child sex offenders. Some abusers may be motivated by opportunity, using children as surrogates for unavailable adults, or driven by a need for domination and control. Regardless of the motivation, the author stresses the paramount importance of protecting vulnerable children who cannot discern right from wrong.

Calls For Capital Punishment Intensify

The author argues that the death penalty should be considered as a deterrent to sexual abuse, pointing to its legal provision in Pakistan. While acknowledging that crimes still occur there, they suggest it offers some measure of justice for victims and their families. In Nepal, where capital punishment for rape is not currently law, lawmakers have begun discussing the possibility, with an Amnesty International report from 2020 noting demands for such a penalty as a means to combat rising rates of sexual violence. Sarin Tamang, a social activist, reportedly urged Home Minister Sudan Gurung to introduce the death penalty following the case in Pachthar.

Concerns Over Safety And Punishment

The article acknowledges widespread fear among parents regarding their children’s safety, particularly given that abusers are often trusted individuals. The author notes that both male and female children are vulnerable and emphasizes the need for vigilance. They argue that Nepal's current sentencing guidelines – life imprisonment or seven to twenty years – are insufficient to deter such crimes and calls on the government to take action. Protests have erupted across the country demanding justice for Garima Chaudhary, with participants unanimously calling for the death penalty for those responsible.

Public demonstrations continue in Nepal as people demand stricter punishments for sexual assault perpetrators, while lawmakers debate whether capital punishment should be introduced into the legal framework.

(With inputs from RN)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.