Shocking report reveals nine women are subjected to sexual violence daily in Punjab

A new report by the Sustainable Social Development Organization (SSDO) reveals that at least 85 women face violence every day in Pakistan’s Punjab province, including an average of nine who are sexually assaulted. The data covers the period from January to June 2025 and is based on information obtained via Punjab Police. 

According to the SSDO’s “Violence Against Women Punjab 2025” factsheet, more than 15,000 cases were reported in the first half of the year. The offences documented include sexual assault, kidnapping, domestic violence, honour killings, trafficking, cyber harassment and sexual harassment, with standardised rates per 100,000 women aged 18+ used for district-wise comparisons. 

Breaking down the numbers, the report shows that during this six-month period the daily average included nine sexual assaults, 51 kidnappings and 24 incidents of domestic violence. 

The provincial capital, Lahore, ranked highest among all districts, it recorded 340 sexual assault cases, 3,018 kidnappings and 2,115 domestic violence incidents. It also registered one of the largest numbers of honour-killing cases.

Other districts with persistently high incidence rates include Multan, Gujranwala, Sialkot, Kasur, Toba Tek Singh and Nankana Sahib. 

The report also points to under-reporting and data gaps, for cyber harassment only five districts, Okara, Sheikhupura, Layyah, Pakpattan and Gujrat reported cases, indicating unequal access to digital complaint systems. In trafficking-related offences Muzaffargarh and Pakpattan recorded the highest figures. 

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Serious concern is raised over missing data from numerous districts including Bahawalnagar, Bahawalpur, Chakwal, Chiniot, Dera Ghazi Khan, Faisalabad, Hafizabad, Narowal, Rahim Yar Khan, Rajanpur, Rawalpindi, Sahiwal and Sargodha.

These districts failed to submit the required information despite repeated directives from the Punjab Information Commission. SSDO emphasises that law enforcement agencies are legally required to publish such records under the RTI Act, and that the absence of data undermines transparency and obscures the true scale of the crisis. 

While SSDO notes that improved reporting may reflect better registration, structural challenges persist: weak investigative capacity, judicial delays, low convictions and insufficient survivor support services remain major obstacles.

The organisation calls for coordinated action to strengthen reporting and referral systems, enhance police investigations, ensure timely court proceedings and expand shelters, legal aid and psychosocial assistance for survivors.