Rape and Culture of Silence in Pakistan

Abstract

The study explores the culture of silence regarding rape in Pakistan over the last decade. The study is qualitative, uses a purposive sampling technique. The data collected in two forms: first, annual reports from the HRCP of 2013-2023, and second, Dawn News reports from 2013-2023. The system theory of violence and the Gramsci theory of hegemony used to analyze the data. The results from HRCP reports show a yearly increase in rape cases. The findings further show data discrepancies and missing information, fixing reporting in the next few years and acknowledging data issues. The results from newspaper analysis reveal a yearly increase in reporting of rape cases, crimes alongside rape, language construction in reporting, location of the rape incidents, as well as the identity of victims and perpetrators. The findings also concluded that a lack of correct and consistent data is a limitation for further studies of rape in Pakistan.