ISLAMABAD: Based on the study of reported cases of child sexual abuse in 2016, a report has revealed that 11 children were abused every day last year and there was also a consistent increase in exploitation.

The report, titled ‘Cruel Numbers 2016’, was launched by the NGO Sahil on Wednesday at the Serena Hotel.

The chief guest at the event, the Canadian deputy high commissioner, Andrew Turner, congratulated Sahil for its efforts in providing free legal aid and counselling assistance to victims of sexual abuse.

“We all have a role to play in addressing this crucial issue, particularly members of the media who should pay attention to this issue and report it in a sensitively responsible fashion and help ensure that the respective authorities are delivering on their commitment,” he said.

Elaborating on the same matter, the guest of honour, the first secretary development at the Norwegian embassy, Tom Martiussen applauded Sahil for the implementation of its work and said: “Child sexual abuse is a global issue that is challenging all the countries in the world and we share Canada’s views of how imperative it is to address this matter.

“Sahil, since its inception in 1997, has disputed Pakistanis’ generally accepted conception of considering child sexual abuse as a non-issue. Sahil established networks from the grassroots level, and the mid-term programme review at the Norwegian embassy commission found that Sahil’s trainings of lady health workers are the most efficient in implementing their agenda,” Mr Martiussen said.

Speaking at the launch, National Commissioner for Children Ejaz Ahmed Qureshi added: “Our work, data and figures cannot entirely be substantiated until we are able to provide protection to street children, children working as domestic help or child bonded labour at brick kilns or even juveniles who are exploited in the unfortunate environment that is provided to them.”

Sahil Executive Director Dr Manizeh Bano highlighted the organisation’s 20 year journey. She said the initial years were focused on research, awareness, training and the provision of legal aid, and since then Sahil has grown to become a platform for national and international research.

The event concluded with an award ceremony to celebrate child-friendly reporting by national, regional and local newspapers.

The Daily Nawa-i-Waqt Lahore, Daily Kawaish Hyderabad and Daily City 42 were honoured in the aforementioned categories, while volunteers at Sahil also received accolades for their initiatives in their respective communities. The award for Best Volunteer went to Mohammad Ilyas Bhaagat.

Published in Dawn, March 23rd, 2017