substantial increase in cases of child abuse has been reported in the Punjab. Around 1,400 children have been subjected to sexual abuse (rape) in the province this year so far. Seventy percent of the victims are boys.

However, these figures may not represent the ground reality as many victims and their families do not report the cases due to social stigma attached to sexual crimes.

According to a report, titled Cruel Numbers, published by Sahil, an NGO working for the protection of children in Pakistan, a total of 4,253 cases were reported in 2022 including cases of child sexual abuse, abduction, missing children and child marriages.

The Punjab tops the number of cases reported (3,035), followed by Sindh (622), Islamabad (360), Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (187), Baluchistan (30), Azad Jammu-Kashmir (15), and Gilgit Baltistan (4). Of these, 2,123 cases of child sexual abuse were reported from all provinces. These cases saw a drastic increase (more than 33 percent) in comparison to 2021. The awful figures, particularly in the Punjab, call for urgent implementation of necessary steps by the government to stop this heinous crime.

Victims’ psycho-social wellbeing

Sexual abuse adversely impacts the children’s psychological, emotional, physical and social wellbeing. In the long term, they may develop post-traumatic stress disorders (PTSDs), anxiety and depression. According to a research published in American Journal of Psychiatry, there is an enhanced probability of psychiatric problems and personality disorders arising from maltreatment of children. In addition to the episodic mode
recurrence, a high risk of suicide ideation and attempts, mood disorders; child abuse victims are quite likely to get PTSDs.

Victims of child sexual abuse are reported to face “restrained childhood.” They stop playing and limit interaction with their friends because of the fear of disclosure, low self-image and impaired self- esteem. Besides, they struggle with restricted social relationships as they are unable to trust people, as in some cases the offenders are their relatives and neighbours.

Concerned realities, and the way forward

A crucial finding of the Punjab Home Department report, which merits serious consideration, is that 55 percent of perpetrators of the said crime are the children’s neighbours and 32 percent are strangers. 13 percent are their relatives. Therefore, it’s the responsibility of the parents/ guardians of children to keep an eye on who their children are interacting with.

In our society, most people quickly develop trust and form relations with neighbours and often send our children to play in the vicinity unguarded. This practice must be checked.

The government needs to take rehabilitation measures and ensure effective implementation of a robust psycho-social support mechanism for child abuse victims and strong family support, in collaboration with key stakeholders for the victims of this menace, besides taking preventive measures to reduce the incidence.

Secondly, many parents do not educate their children about physical interaction, because these areas are taboo. The need of the hour is to shatter such taboos and tell our children what they need to know.

Parents must give their children enough space and confidence to report an uncomfortable incident openly and freely. In our society, most people are overprotective about the girls, but the boys are expected to be more outgoing and social. This makes them vulnerable to exploitation.

Civil society organisations in collaboration with the government are striving for child protection in Pakistan. According to the UNICEF’s country report 2022, case management and referral system (CMRS) has been operationalised in Baluchistan and GB, with technical support from the UNICEF. System operationalisation in Sindh and the KP was in advanced stages when the flood emergency took place, and the UNICEF responded rapidly to adopt the system. Additionally, the UNICEF provided assistance to provincial governments in developing social behaviour change (SBC) frameworks for ending child labour and marriage as well as to avoid or respond to maltreatment. The sub-groups working for child protection were revived under the direction of the UNICEF. As a result, guidelines and messaging on child protection issues are now consistent and organised.

The government needs to take rehabilitation measures and ensure effective implementation of a robust psycho-social support mechanism for child abuse victims and strong family support, in collaboration with key stakeholders for the victims of this menace, besides taking preventive measures to reduce the incidence.

As per the recommendations of the Punjab Home Department, there is a need for sensitisation of Child Protection and Welfare Bureau staff, capacity building of professionals working with children to enhance their skills in abuse identification symptoms and sensitively responding and providing support, robust coordination mechanism among stakeholders dealing with child abuse cases and holistic support services.

Holistic support service mechanisms include counselling, medico-legal services and rehabilitation initiatives. It is crucial that the governments effectively and efficiently implement the recommendations in coordination with relevant stakeholders to curb the exploitation of children and punish the perpetrators of this heinous crime.

At the same time, parents and teachers must play their part in sensitising and educating the children in order to protect them from harm. In order to raise awareness and foster resilience among children, it is important to adopt a digital literacy programme in elementary schools where children are taught about personal rights, safety and space using animations.

The writer is a post-graduate student at Security Studies & Criminology Department in the Faculty of Arts, Macquarie University, Sydney