President Dr Arif Alvi approved the government’s “stringent” and “holistic” Anti-Rape (Investigation and Trial) Ordinance, 2020 on Tuesday, to help expedite cases of sexual abuse against women and children.

According to the ordinance, special courts will be set up to conclude the rape cases in four months. The prime minister will establish rape crisis cells to deal with the medico-legal examination within six hours after the mishap.

The victims will be provided legal assistance under the Legal Aid and Justice Authority.

Joint investigative committees headed by DPOs will investigate the crimes and a database of sexual predators will be maintained at national level with the help of National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA).

The ordinance has also declared revealing identity of the victims as a punishable offense. 

Earlier in November 2020, Cabinet Committee on Law and Federal Cabinet had approved in principle the Anti-Rape (investigation and trial) Ordinance 2020.

Earlier, on November 7, the Cabinet Committee for Disposal of Legislative Cases approved two ordinances to introduce harsher punishments for sex offenders including chemical castration and setting up special courts for rape cases.