F9 Park Rape Case Sparks Twitter Debate? Are Women Ever Safe In Public Spaces?
A young woman was accosted at the F9 park in Islamabad as she visited the area along with her colleague. The two were forcibly separated at gunpoint and the woman was subjected to physical abuse and rape. The rapist then also reportedly told her “not to come to the park at this time.” The incident occurred close to 8pm on Thursday February 2nd. 2023. An FIR report has been filed and the case is under investigation.
Social media is, once more reacting to the victim blaming psychology which has apparently become entrenched in our moral code. Here’s what twitter has to say:
‘Really Shameful: A girl went for a walk in the heart of Islamabad’s F-9 park was raped and stripped by two men. The victim is currently in PIMS for medical examination. A girl is raped by two armed men inside park who told her after rape not to go for walk after sunset: As per FIR’
‘Islamabad Police Issues Sketch of Suspect Involved in F-9 Park Rape Case’
‘F-9 rape case Feb 2 evening at around 8 pm – victim says in FIR that the men had a gun & took turns – second rapist was not that old & she told him he’s like her brother & take money – he refused to listen Victim says they returned her mobile & also gave Rs 1000 to keep quiet’
‘Absolutely disheartened n disgraced after what happened with the girl in F9 PARK, ISLAMABAD – THE CAPITAL OF PAKISTAN! Why are these rapists not hold accountable? Why is there no security and injustice all around?’
‘When you tell people that women’s clothes cause rapes and men are not robots, you have no idea you just armed the rapists with a justification’
‘Day 5: The recent incident in F-9 Park will dent the confidence of Islamabadians specially female visitors in long run. The state must act and make the culprits an example for decades.’
‘All we ask for our right to life and dignity. Today we gather outside F-9 park (F-10 gate no 2) at 5 PM. Bring an extra dopatta to hang from the gate of the park. A testimony of our resistance, pain and solidarity with our sisters violated by strangers, lovers, fathers & state’
‘having to see the former PM’s victim blaming comments & defense of rape & sexual assault preserved in the New Yorker interview … in the immediate aftermath of the Vehari & F-9 incidents … nothing we didn’t already know, but a horrific reminder of the cruelty & apathy around us’
‘The #Islamabad police have prepared the sketch of a suspect accused of rap*ng a woman in a public park in #F9. The police have prepared the sketch with the help of victim. The police further said that they are matching the sketch of the suspect with the CCTV footage.’
‘Rape of girl in F/9 is one in many cases of rising GBV in Pakistan.Only 41% rape cases are reported & majority women shy from seeking legal recourse. Serious attention must be given to combat GBV & make legal processes easier for victims of abuse’
Having near to none high surveillance cameras in such a busy park of the capital is questionable mark on the administration of the city, how come a women gets raped and no suspect no evidence gets gathered??
From lack of adequate security in public places e.g. surveillance cameras, to victim blaming, women are literally on their own when they dare venture out of their homes. The recent case at F9 park will have far reaching consequences as women who previously frequented the area will now think twice before stepping out in a park they considered relatively safe, only till this Thursday evening.
