Harassment – when we think about this word what comes into our minds? Violation, violence, bullying, torment and torture. These actions are known as acts of harassment.
If we look around us there is the pointless notion that harassment or victimizing only happens to women. But in reality, there are around a bunch of ways people including women, men and children are being abused on a regular basis. For instance, people are being called off based on their gender, religion, culture and choices. Unfortunately in Pakistan, the probability of women and child assault is at its peak. That’s why it’s important to know about anti-harassment helplines Pakistan.
People involving women and children should know child and women’s helpline phone numbers Pakistan.
Child Molesting & Women Persecution in Pakistan
Just like other countries Pakistan also retains the lawful acts against molesting and violence against the opposite genders.
According to section 509 of the Pakistan Penal Code 1860, which was amended in February 2010 implies that any sexual harassment activity such as physically, verbally and emotionally emerges in Pakistan. Then, the offenders will encounter 3 years of imprisonment along with a 5 hundred thousand rupees fine.[Reference]
Instead of this law, hundreds of cases of child abuse and honour crimes are being registered every month. Tayaba torture case, Gojra motorway case, Lahore Motorway case and Zainab murder case are prime examples. That’s why it is essential to remember the emergency child and women harassment complaint numbers if any incident occurs in case. Here we will share the top anti-harassment helplines in Pakistan to call in case of emergencies.
Fast & Rapid Harassment Helplines Pakistan
1. The Punjab Women’s Toll-Free Helpline
Since 2014 Punjab Commission on the Status of Women (PCSW) has been contributing to the anti-harassment movement and campaigns by running the quick rescuing aid. It’s known by several names, for instance, Punjab Women’s Toll-Free Helpline or Punjab women’s protection helpline Pakistan. In the same way, for any kind of physical or emotional abuse, you just have to dial the 1043 helpline number to contact the Punjab Women’s Toll officials. Moreover, PCSW can help you redeem yourself from these kinds of situations:
- Gender discrimination
- Domestic violence
- Workplace harassment
- Mental pressure
- Property disputes and inheritance rights
Helpline Number: 1043
Official Website: https://pcsw.punjab.gov.pk/
2. Sahil Child Protection
If we discuss child protection units in Pakistan. Then, Sahil has been working on child safety and security for more than 2 and a half decades. Since, 1996 this Islamabad-based organisation is actively involved in child protection, especially against mental and sexual abuse. Moreover, Sahil has circulated their child harassment complaint numbers in Karachi, Punjab, Rawalpindi and other cities of the country. Similarly, there are 4 provincial offices in Pakistan, that monitors and collect data regarding, abduction, child sexual abuse and early forced marriage cases.
Helpline Numbers:
- Islamabad: 92-51 2260636
- Abbottabad: 0992-383880
- Jaffarabad: 0838-510912
- Lahore office: 042-35470578
- Sukkur office: 92-71-5633615
Official Website: Sahil.org
3. Madadgaar Toll-Free Helpline
This nonprofitable helpline service was formed in 2001 aiming to provide aid to children and women grieving from turmoil, misusage and exploitation. Madadgaar is an Urdu word which means a helper or saviour. This service is funded by UNICEF, which is active 24/7 for cases of child and women assault.
Helpline Numbers:
1098, 03116641098
Email: madadgaar@cyber.net.pk
LinkedIn
4. Ministry of Human Rights Helpline
In November 2015 ministry of Human Rights launched a helpline for legal advice and human rights violations. From producing legitimate advice to facilitating rapid support this helpline has become a prominent part of the human rights ministry in Pakistan. Till now this service has delivered full resource support to more than 50 thousand cases around the country. Recently, the authorized app also has been launched to record and report all online harassment complaints Pakistan.
Helpline Numbers:
• 1099
• 111-664-775
Official Website: mohr.gov.pk
5. Cyber Crime Wing (CCW)
This cyber harassment helpline Pakistan has been backed by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) since 2007. This is one of the first units of its kind in the country which does forthright contact with the victims and takes legal measures according to the act of law.
Nowadays, cyberbullying and intimidation are surging. Likewise, youngsters are dealing with social media profile hacks and leaks of their personal data. So, taking that all into consideration, the FIA has established zones in four provinces of Pakistan. In addition, here are the cybercrime categories FIA Cyber Crime Wing works on.
- Hacking
- Cyber Harassment
- Cyber Bullying
- Data Theft
- Identify Theft
- Child Pornography
- Cyber Stacking
- Denial of Service Attack
- Intellectual Property Attack
Helpline Number: 111-345-786
Official Website: https://fia.gov.pk/ccw
Email: complaints@fia.gov.pk
6. Child Protection & Welfare Bureau
The main focus of the Child Protection & Welfare Bureau is to produce resources for children who have been abandoned and left out. By the time the authorities of the child protection unit started organizing mental and physical support for the children. This organisation was inaugurated in 2004 and till now, it is been fully funded by Punjab Information Technology Board and other national-level NGOs.
Furthermore, the organisation has successfully established child protection institutions in major cities of Punjab including:
- Faisalabad
- Gujranwala
- Multan
- Rawalpindi
- Sialkot
- Bahawalpur
Helpline Numbers:
- Faisalabad:0323-6677636
- Gujranwala:0300-9195518
- Multan: 0334-0871701
- Rawalpindi: 0320-5271121
- Sialkot: 0336-4455312
- Bahawalpur:0336-6765880
- Rahim Yar Khan:0313-6100595
Website: https://cpwb.punjab.gov.pk/
7. DRF’s Cyber Harassment Helpline
In the age of digital media, people share everything on social media platforms which includes their daily routine, workplace, personal photos, contacts and other stuff. Because of the tremendous amount of data people become victims of cyber abuse and harassment. For this specifically, Digital Rights Foundation’s cyber harassment helpline is one of the first free toll assistance services along with legal advice and digital security support.
Helpline Numbers
• 1043
• 0800-39393
Official Website: https://digitalrightsfoundation.pk/cyber-harassment-helpline/
8. Punjab Safe Cities Authority (PSCA) App
This emergency helpline in Punjab has accomplished the digital way of protection and security. Now, the people of Punjab will receive a timely response from the Punjab police at the time of the violation, crimes and harassment encounters. Moreover, the mission of launching this app and helpline service is to boost the law enforcement of the province. The app is commenced as Punjab Women Safety App which is available on the google play store, and in this app, you can effortlessly locate the nearest police station, share your current location and contact emergency numbers. Along with women’s protection, there are major services this app provides including:
- Integrated Emergency Response
- Accountable Law Enforcement
- Counter Terrorism Surveillance
- Intelligent Traffic Management System
- Rescue 1122 Operations
- Electronic Evidence
- Monitoring Law and Order
Contact
App Punjab Women Safety App
Helpline Number: (+92)-42-9905-1605(08)
Official Website: https://psca.gop.pk/
9. AGHS Legal Aid Cell
This legal aid cell was established in 1980 by one of the well-known lawyers and social activists of Pakistan Asma Jahangir to provide legal aid to women and recoup them from sexual offences and harassment. Since its takeoff AGHS Legal Aid Cell has saved thousands of women’s lives in numerous areas of Pakistan. In the same way, AGHS supports women’s empowerment and fights against any gender-based violence.
Helpline Numbers:
• 042-35842256-7
• 042-35842259
Official Website: https://aghslaw.net/
10. Pakistan Citizen Portal
In 2013 Prime Minister’s Performance Delivery Unit (PMDU) established the Pakistan Citizen Portal for the people to register their complaints following the crimes emerging near them. One of the main objectives of this app is to provide both platforms, first, the emergency call and second online app service for the people to effortlessly communicate with all government entities. For timely support, a citizen has to register himself by a form at the Pakistan Citizen Portal section which is available on its official website along with tutorials.
Helpline Number: 312-781-1831
Website: https://citizenportal.gov.pk
To Sum It Up
If we say that Pakistan has no solutions for women’s safety then, it will be inaccurate because along with these helpline protocols there are several social action projects and NGOs which are working against harassment. The main element is the awareness of people. Therefore, we must use our social media platforms to highlight this much-needed harassment helpline Pakistan.
That’s all for now, we hope that you’ll take care of yourself and spread awareness regarding Anti-harassment in Pakistan.
