5,398 cases of child abuse reported in past five years

Islamabad:Around 5,398 cases of child sexual abuse were reported across Pakistan during the past five-year period, says a detailed report analysing cases of child sexual abuse across four provinces Punjab, Sindh, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan of Pakistan from 2019 to 2023.

The report was launched by the Sustainable Social Development Organisation (SSDO). The findings of the report present alarming statistics, highlighting the growing prevalence of the heinous crime and emphasizing the urgent need for measures to protect children and bring perpetrators to justice. One of the most concerning revelations is that in the year 2023, there was 220 per cent increase in reported cases since 2019.

According to the report, Punjab accounted for 62 per cent of the cases with 3323 incidents, making it the province with the highest prevalence of reported child abuse cases. Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa recorded 1,360 cases (25.1 per cent), Sindh reported 458 cases (8.5 per cent) and Balochistan accounted for 257 cases (5 per cent). The Lahore district in Punjab recorded the highest number of the reported cases with 1,176 incidents during the period. Meanwhile, the sparsely populated Kolai -Palas Kohistan, District in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa with a population of only 158,096 under 18 reported 84 cases.

The report also presents key recommendations to combat child sexual abuse effectively in Pakistan. These include strengthening the enforcement of existing laws through specialised training for law enforcement and judiciary, ensuring the efficient functioning of fast-track courts under the Zainab Alert Act and amplifying community awareness campaigns. It says that enhancing reporting mechanisms, fostering inter-agency collaboration and establishing a centralized national database for CSA cases are also critical. Additionally, the recommendations emphasize victim support through child-friendly spaces, trauma-focused counselling and financial compensation, alongside the development of robust legal frameworks to address emerging challenges like online exploitation and trafficking.

At the launch of the report, SSDO Executive Director Syed Kausar Abbas expressed concern over the findings and called for urgent, coordinated action to combat child sexual abuse. “These figures are not just statistics, they reflect the lives of innocent children who have endured unimaginable trauma. The 220 per cent increase in reported cases over five years is a wake-up call for the nation. There is an urgent need for stronger laws, robust enforcement mechanisms and widespread awareness campaigns to ensure child protection becomes a national priority” Abbas stated.

He further stressed the pivotal role of provincial governments in addressing this crisis. “The fact that 62 per cent of cases originate from Punjab demands an immediate review of existing child protection policies and their implementation. Similarly, systemic gaps in reported cases in provinces like Sindh, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan must be addressed through coordinated efforts between Government institutions and Civil society,” he added. The report urges policymakers, law enforcement agencies and civil society to join forces to tackle the root causes of child sexual abuse. SSDO has reiterated its commitment to supporting all efforts aimed at ensuring a safe and secure environment for children’s.