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ISLAMABAD: A report released by the NGO Sahil has revealed that cases of child abuse increased by 32pc in the first six months of 2018 compared to the first half of 2017.
The report found that a total of 2,322 child abuse cases were reported by newspapers in all four provinces, as well as Islamabad, Azad Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan. In comparison, 1,764 such incidents were reported from January to June 2017.
More than 12 children were abused every day during the January to June period of this year, the data shows. In addition, 1,725 cases were reported from rural areas and 597 from urban areas.
Take a look: Tackling child sexual abuse: awareness, identification and prevention
Cases of sexual abuse of boys increased by 47pc, the report said, while cases of sexual abuse of girls increased by 22pc compared to last year.
Children between the ages of six and 15 are the most vulnerable to abuse, the report said.
However, it also found an alarming increase in cases of children up to the age of five. In the first six months of 2017, a total of 79 such cases were reported, but 321 rape cases of children up to the age of five were recorded for the first half of this year.
The report said that in 48pc of cases the abuse was committed by acquaintances, in 14pc it was committed by acquaintances with strangers, in 11pc it was committed by strangers and in 12pc of cases the identity of the abuser was not mentioned.
A total of 24pc of cases occurred at the acquaintance’s place, 15pc at the victim’s place and 10pc in the field – these findings were similar to last year’s.
Out of the total cases of child abuse that the report noted, 89pc were registered with the police. The police refused to register 32 cases, and 17 were not registered for various reasons.
Compared to last year, the number of registered cases has increased by 59pc while police refusals to register cases have decreased by 32pc.
According to the provincial breakdown, 65pc of cases were reported from Punjab and 26pc from Sindh.
A total of 69 cases were reported from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 68 from the capital, 55 from Balochistan, 21 from AJK and two from GB.
One of the authors of the report, Mamtaz Gohar told Dawn that although child abuse cases were expected to fall in the wake of the Zainab case, they had unfortunately increased.
“However, another view is that the Zainab murder case gave victims’ families courage to speak out rather than hide incidents of sexual abuse. The good thing is that, soon after that case, a drastic change has been noticed in the attitude and behaviour of families towards such cases,” he said.
Published in Dawn, August 31st, 2018
Comments (11) Closed
This curse was always there and will always remain. Economically deprived children are most vulnerable to such abuses. I strongly believe that a major chunk of child abuse cases still goes unreported due to various reasons. Actual numbers should be even more alarming.
12 cases per day cannot be correct. The number is much larger if one estimates unreported cases. This abuse is repulsive and will stop if death penalty is instituted for child abuse
Where was the study published? What was the authors methodology? How did they validate their findings? What was the sample size? How is it different from other countries?
It appears to be more an effort at sensationalization of this fact that child abuse is a known event throughout the world.
When Zainab murderer is still not punishes and other perpetrators, then media coverage just glorify the issue. The government should start an active media campaign and make strong legislation in the parliament.
Could someone please explain why these incidents unfortunately increased even after the Zainab case ?
Is media implicitly promoting this ?
Government should not wait on this issue but work on it straight away. A special task force for all provinces. Those caught should be given death sentence.
This is a shame for us as a society .
What a grave and great tragedy?
Perhaps they were always happening but now being exposed due to the Zainab incident.
Increase in child abuse across country is the proof of poor law and order situation and enforcement of law as no involved were dealt with iron hands, or made an example to discourage or lesson for other involved or having mind set to commit child abuse. other factor is poor prosecution, corruption in provincial police set-ups and in judiciary also which is main fact behind non stopping the child abuse in the country. this crime could be eliminated due to one fact that is unity among country fellow citizen otherwise every once child shall be pray this abuse today or tomorrow.
Legalising fast tracking court action in crimes against the most vulnerable like children, violence against women, religious persecution, crimes against the handicapped or sick has to take place in our so called legal system which is falling apart because no one, not even our judges can follow due process or time management.