Rape, sexual assault and other crimes against women detained in police stations, torture cells and prisons are on the rise in Pakistan. Finding the need for a separate section to deal with the problems of women torture survivors and their families, the group Voice Against Torture established the ROSHNI-Centre for Women in Crisis.

ROSHNI's work includes identifying different crisis situations that women face and developing strategies for crisis intervention. The project extends social, psychological, clinical and legal support to women whose rights have been violated. It gives special attention to tortured, humiliated, cruelly punished, battered and sexually assaulted women. With the help of the health professionals from the Rehabilitation and Health Aid Centre for Torture Victims (RAHAT), ROSHNI is able to provide facilities for rehabilitation, psycho-social support and health aid to survivors of different forms of violence against women.

The group conducts psychotherapy, physiotherapy and other different stress-reduction techniques to help rehabilitate the victims. Counselors also tackle other issues related to women's mental and physical health including gender discrimination, child-parent relationships, marital harmony and family planning,

source: RAS Newsletter, Vol. 9, October 1994; House 340, Street 97, G-9/4, Islamabad. Pakistan