Child sexual abuse remains a deeply concerning issue in Pakistan, with numerous cases reported annually. However, it is important to acknowledge that the reported cases represent only the tip of the iceberg, as the true extent of this problem is often obscured by social stigma and underreporting. Information regarding child sexual abuse primarily comes from an NGO, Sahil which compile data from newspapers on annual bases, serving as a secondary source of information. Additionally, cases registered by law enforcement agencies such as the police and the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) provide valuable insights into the prevalence of this heinous crime.
Cruel Numbers 2023
Sahil, released its signature publication, ‘Cruel Numbers 2023,’ in Feb 2023. This report aims to present a detailed overview of the situation regarding violence against children, particularly focusing on child sexual abuse (CSA). It also strives to contribute to existing information on CSA in Pakistan and spread awareness about different forms of child abuse throughout society.
Key Findings
In the year 2023, a total of 4,213 child abuse cases were reported in newspapers across Pakistan, including all four provinces, Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT), Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), and Gilgit Baltistan (GB). This alarming figure highlights the prevalence of child abuse in the country.
Gender Divide Analysis
Out of the total reported cases, 53% of the victims were girls (2251), while 47% were boys 1962). This gender divide underscores the vulnerability of children of both genders to various forms of abuse, with a slight higher prevalence of cases involving female victims.
Age Group Vulnerability
Children between the ages of 6 to 15 years were found to be the most vulnerable to abuse, with more boys reported as victims in this age group. Shockingly, even children as young as 0 to 5 years old were subjected to sexual abuse.
Abuser’s Category
The data from ‘Cruel Numbers 2023’ indicates that acquaintances remain the most common perpetrators of child sexual abuse, followed by relatives, family members, strangers, and even women abettors. This highlights the complex dynamics involved in cases of child abuse and the importance of raising awareness about potential threats within children’s social circles.
Geographical Divide
A significant portion of reported cases (75%) originated from Punjab, followed by 13% from Sindh, 7% from Islamabad Capital Territory, 3% from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), and 2% from Balochistan, Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), and Gilgit Baltistan (GB).
Police Registration
Encouragingly, 91% of reported cases were registered with the police, indicating an active engagement of law enforcement agencies in addressing child abuse issues.
Specific Cases
- In 2023, 2,021 cases of only CSA were reported, with an equal distribution of victims among both genders.
- Alarmingly, 61 cases reported murder following sexual abuse, highlighting the grave consequences of unchecked child abuse.
- Additionally, 1,833 cases of abduction and 330 cases of missing children were reported, indicating the diverse forms of exploitation children are subjected to.
- Furthermore, 29 cases of child marriages were reported, with the majority involving girls, emphasizing the need to combat this harmful practice and protect children’s rights.
Conclusion
The findings of ‘Cruel Numbers 2023’ shed light on the pervasive issue of child abuse in Pakistan, particularly emphasizing the urgent need for comprehensive measures to address CSA and other forms of violence against children.