HARIPUR: Child abuse cases are increasing day by day and need to be curbed through a holistic approach otherwise such incidents would continue to deface the society.

Speakers said this at an awareness seminar organised jointly by Society for Peace and Conflict Management, University of Haripur, and district police here on Tuesday. They said that it was quite unfortunate that minor children were not safe from pedophiles whose presence was not restricted to a specific ethnic or socioeconomic group, but they were found within families of victims, schools, seminaries, acquaintances, police and other sections of society.

“It’s quite unfortunate that minor children of even three years of age who need to be engaged in physical and mental grooming are being taught what is good and what is bad touch,” said Younas Majaz, Haripur Union of Journalists president.

He said the current trend in the country indicated that every household with children was at risk. He criticised media coverage of children becoming victims of sexual abuse and called for avoiding playing up such cases.

Rafia Jadoon, sub-divisional officer education, said that unchecked use of mobile and internet by children was one of the contributing factors towards child abuse and the parents should monitor their children’s day-to-day activities.

She suggested incorporation of child protection measures in syllabus of educational institutions.

Advocate Gulnaz Rasheed said that the small number of convictions in child abuse cases was a proof of flawed FIRs and poor investigation.

Sadaqat Khan, member district public safety commission, said that despite being semi-conservative the society of Hazara division received the stigma of Faryal rape and murder in Havelian. He said that during last two years Hazara alone witnessed 130 cases of violence against children.

District police officer Dr Zahidullah said that concerted efforts were imperative for checking crimes against children. He announced setting up of a child protection unit in the district and sought support in creating awareness against child abuse in the society.

Dr Abdul Muhaiman, head of Islamic Studies Department of the university, also spoke on the occasion.

KILLED: An industrial worker was killed when a truck hit his motorcycle near Kot Najibullah interchange. Local police said that Mohammad Sheraz of Pandori village was on way to Hattar Industrial Estate for duty when a speeding truck (2160 LHR) hit his bike, killing him on the spot.

Meanwhile, the local police recovered body of a man from guava orchards in Gehr Khan village here on Tuesday. The man, identified as Tahir Ayub, 40, of Muradabad village, was missing from his house since Monday, police said.

The hospital sources said that the cause of death was stabbing with dagger. Family sources said that they had no enmity and did not nominate anyone in the FIR.

Published in Dawn, January 9th, 2019