LAHORE/ISLAMABAD: A confidential report from the home department has raised significant concerns about the rising rate of child abuse in Punjab. The report reveals that the number of boys experiencing this horrifying ordeal surpasses that of girls.
The report shows disturbing findings, indicating that among the perpetrators facing trial in courts, 55 percent. In which neighbors of the victims, 32 percent were strangers, and 13 percent were relatives.
To collect data on child abuse in Punjab, the department utilized field staff and identified that the Rawalpindi region and Lahore city had relatively lower reported cases of crimes against children compared to other divisions within the province.
The report highlighted several significant factors that act as major obstacles in controlling sexual crimes against children in Punjab.
According to the report, during the first five and a half months of this year, a total of 1,390 incidents of child abuse were reported in Punjab. Among the victims, 959 (69 percent) were boys and 431 (31 percent) were girls.
The department provided recommendations to combat child abuse and shared the report with the Lahore Capital City Police Officer (CCPO) and the Regional Police Officers (RPOs) for their implementation.
Report Highlighted points regarding child Abuse
The report highlighted that child abuse cases are frequently filed in Punjab, with boys reporting experiences and complaints more often than girls. The underreporting of cases was identifiers as a matter of concern due to fear and cultural taboos prevalent in society. The report also noted that parents’ unwillingness to subject their children to medico-legal procedures is a deterrent.
Furthermore, the report pointed out that lack of support from family members, friends, neighbors, or the community contributes to the isolation of victims. It is also making them hesitant to share their experiences about the abuser. It stated that socio-economic stresses, unemployment, low self-confidence, feelings of incompetence, loneliness, and psychological unrest are factors responsible for child abuse.
The region-wise distribution of reports incidents reveals that Gujranwala had 220 cases, followed by DG Khan (199), Faisalabad (186), Multan (140), Bahawalpur (129), Sheikhupura (128), Sahiwal (127), Sargodha (103), and others. The Rawalpindi region and Lahore city had the lowest numbers, with 69 and 89 cases, respectively.
The report emphasized that child sexual abuse in Pakistan is influence by various social factors. These are, including patriarchal norms, power imbalances, poverty, illiteracy, and social inequalities, which contribute to children’s vulnerability. Victim-blaming attitudes and a lack of awareness about child rights further complicate efforts to address and prevent such crimes.
Pakistan has enacted several laws, such as the Criminal Law (Amendment) Act of 2016, the Prevention of Child Abuse Act of 2018, and the Zainab Alert, Response, and Recovery Act 2020, to address child sexual abuse. However, as highlighted in the report, effective implementation, enforcement, and coordination among relevant agencies are crucial to ensure justice for victims and punishment for perpetrators.
