KARACHI:
Violence against children is carried out in various forms. It can be physical, emotional or sexual. It happens in all countries and in any setting — in a child’s home, community or school. In some parts of the world, using violence to discipline youngsters is considered socially acceptable.
Not many realise that for many girls and boys, violence comes at the hands of people they trust the most i.e. their parents, caregivers, teachers, relatives or neighbours. But the most devastating types of violence are often hidden from public view. Perpetrators go to great lengths to conceal their acts, leaving children — especially those who lack the capacity to report or even understand the experience — vulnerable to further exposures.
Violence affects all children. But children living with disabilities, those who belong to lower-income households, or those separated from their families face the greatest risk. Sexual orientation, gender identity and belonging to a marginalised social or ethnic group also heighten a child’s chance of suffering violence.
I, therefore, request the federal government to take concrete steps to curb child abuse cases that have peaked in the recent past in order to protect our children from heinous acts of violence. We must not see cases, like the Zainab Ansari rape and murder, repeated. It’s time to act with all the seriousness and sincerity.
Rahim Baloch
Kech
Published in The Express Tribune, June 11h, 2021.
Like Opinion & Editorial on Facebook, follow @ETOpEd on Twitter to receive all updates on all our daily pieces.
