Force against a woman? Section 354 PPC.

Myth or fact?

What people often think.

• Myth: If there is no injury, there is no case.
• Fact: Assault or criminal force on a woman, meant to outrage her modesty, is a crime even without injury (PPC s.354).

The law.

Section 354, PPC.

“Whoever assaults or uses criminal force to any woman, intending to outrage or knowing it to be likely that he will thereby outrage her modesty, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to two years or with fine, or with both.”

Pakistan Penal Code, 1860 · Section 354, Assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty

Two tests.

The words of section 354.

• The actAssault, or criminal force, on a woman.
• The mindIntending to outrage her modesty, or knowing it is likely.
• The termUp to 2 years, or fine, or both.

Even a touch.

1996 MLD 878, Lahore High Court.

• The holdingSection 354 covers cases like touching a woman in a lewd or indecent manner.

The graver crime.

Section 354-A, PPC.

• The actAssault or force, stripping her of her clothes.
• AndExposing her to public view in that condition.
• The termDeath, or imprisonment for life, and fine.

Quick quiz. Torn clothes.

Guess first, then swipe for the answer.

• A. 354-A
• B. 354
• C. Neither

Answer: B. 2010 YLR 1095.

Lahore High Court.

• 354-A needs bothStripping of clothes, and exposure to public view.
• HereClothes torn, not stripped: the charge stayed under s.354.

Act fast.

Three steps, in this order.

• SafetyGet to a safe place and call someone you trust.
• ProofWitnesses, CCTV, messages, and torn clothes kept as they are.
• FIRReport to the police and name what happened.

Your words matter.

Tell the police exactly what he did.

• What he didTouched, grabbed, pulled, or stripped.
• WhereIn public view or not. It changes the section.
• Who sawNames of anyone who saw or helped.

Someone harassed you?

Ask FAI in your own words. It answers with the exact section and the judgments behind it.

• A man grabbed my sister in the market. Which section applies and how do we file an FIR?
• What is the difference between section 354 and 354-A PPC?

Example questions

Sources

• Pakistan Penal Code, 1860 · Section 354
  Assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty Pakistan Code