3,832 cases of child abuse reported last year

Islamabad : More than 10 children were abused every day with total 3,832 reported cases of child abuse in the year 2018.

These disturbing statistics on child abuse were released in the report ‘Cruel Numbers 2018’ launched by Sahil on Wednesday. The analysis shows an increase of 11 per cent in the reported cases of child abuse in 2018 as compared to 3,445 cases reported in the year 2017. The most significant increase, 61 per cent, was observed in reported cases of sodomy whereas rape cases increased by 15 per cent as compared to the year 2017.

The major crime categories of the reported cases of child abuse in 2018 include abduction 923, missing children 452, rape 537, sodomy 589, attempt of rape 345, gang sodomy 282, gang rape 156 and 130 cases of child marriages.

The report says that in 2018, 92 cases were reported of murder after sexual abuse which is a decrease of 16 per cent cases as compared to reported cases of year 2017. A gender analysis of the data shows that cases of murder after sexual abuse of boys have increased 50 per cent in 2018 which was 42 per cent in 2017 however cases of girls have decreased from 58 per cent in 2017 to 50 per cent in 2018. Overall, out of the total cases, 55 per cent victims were girls and 45 per cent were boys.

The report has been compiled from monitoring of 85 national and regional newspapers with an objective of presenting the data of the situation of violence on children in the form of child sexual abuse, kidnapping and missing children, so that relevant strategies for prevention, intervention and protection can be made and to contribute to existing information on CSA in Pakistan.

The report shows that in 2018, in the age bracket of 6-10 years and 11-15 years, boys were more vulnerable to child sexual abuse as compared to girls whereas in the age bracket 0-5 years and 16-18 years, more girls were found vulnerable to child sexual abuse.

It says that a total number of 5628 abusers were identified in the reported cases, which includes the data of gangs involved in 2826 cases of abuse. The number excludes 130 cases of child marriages and 876 cases in which number of abusers was not mentioned in the newspapers.

Out of the total number of 3702 reported cases (excluding 130 child marriages cases), 1571(41 per cent) incidents occurred in closed places and 544 (14 per cent) cases took place at open places whereas, the place of abuse was not mentioned in 1587 (41 per cent) reported cases.

Out of the total number, 63 per cent cases were from Punjab, 27 per cent cases from Sindh, 4 per cent cases from KP, 3 per cent cases from Islamabad Capital Territory, 2 per cent cases from Balochistan, 34 cases from AJK and 6 cases were reported from Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) whereas 72 per cent (2770) were reported from rural areas and 28 per cent (1062) cases were reported from urban areas. Around 86 per cent cases were registered with the police whereas in 56 cases police refused to register the case, and 39 cases were unregistered with police. While in 11 per cent incidents, the case registration status was not mentioned in newspapers.

Out of the total number, 2,327 cases of child sexual abuse (excluding cases of abduction, child marriages and missing children) were reported with 51 per cent cases of girls and 49 per cent of boys. The data shows that 33 per cent cases of only child sexual abuse were increased as compared to last year’s data of reported cases.

In 2018, a total 1064 cases of abduction have been reported in newspapers. Out of these cases, 79 per cent victims were girls and 21 per cent were boys.

In addition, a total 130 cases of child marriages were reported in newspapers in the year 2018. Out of the total 130 cases of child marriages, 85 per cent were girls and 15 per cent were boys. The provincial divide of child marriages cases shows 65 per cent cases from Sindh, 33 per cent from Punjab and 2 per cent cases reported from KP and Islamabad.

Speaking on this occasion, Executive Director Sahil Manizeh Bano presented a legal case study highlighting the process and difficulties faces by families who are brave enough to come forward for a legal battle.