# Force against a woman? Section 354 PPC. > Assault or criminal force on a woman, meant to outrage her modesty or knowing it is likely to, is an offence under section 354 PPC even without injury: up to 2 years, or fine, or both. Stripping her and exposing her to public view is s.354-A: death or life imprisonment. - Topic: Criminal law - For: Citizens - A 12-slide carousel: https://failegal.site/media/force-against-a-woman-section-354-ppc - Published by FAI Legal on 2026-10-23 ## 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) ## Two tests. The words of section 354. - **The act** Assault, or criminal force, on a woman. - **The mind** Intending to outrage her modesty, or knowing it is likely. - **The term** Up to 2 years, or fine, or both. ## Even a touch. 1996 MLD 878, Lahore High Court. - **The holding** Section 354 covers cases like touching a woman in a lewd or indecent manner. ## The graver crime. Section 354-A, PPC. - **The act** Assault or force, stripping her of her clothes. - **And** Exposing her to public view in that condition. - **The term** Death, 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 both** Stripping of clothes, and exposure to public view. - **Here** Clothes torn, not stripped: the charge stayed under s.354. ## Act fast. Three steps, in this order. - **Safety** Get to a safe place and call someone you trust. - **Proof** Witnesses, CCTV, messages, and torn clothes kept as they are. - **FIR** Report to the police and name what happened. ## Your words matter. Tell the police exactly what he did. - **What he did** Touched, grabbed, pulled, or stripped. - **Where** In public view or not. It changes the section. - **Who saw** Names 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?** ## Sources - Pakistan Penal Code, 1860 · Section 354: Assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty --- Educational legal information, not legal advice. Every case turns on its own facts. Speak to a qualified lawyer about your situation. Review status: Pending advocate review. FAI Media is part of FAI Legal (https://failegal.site), research on Pakistani statutes and judgments. Free to watch and read.