KARACHI:
Child abuse has emerged as a major problem in Pakistan as cases of sexual violence against children are rapidly increasingly. Students in seminaries and academic institutions remain extremely vulnerable since they are considered as easy targets. Unfortunately, thousands of cases are not reported because culprits openly threaten victims who then remain quiet in fear of their lives. As a result, most of these victims develop serious mental health issues such as anxiety, depression or PTSD. The need of the hour is to prevent such cases from happening in the first place.
The only way to curb the increasing rate of child abuse is to monitor academic activities through CCTV cameras. It should be made mandatory for all seminaries as well as academic institutions and coaching centers to install functional CCTV cameras in classes, offices and play areas. Access should be given to parents or guardians so that they are easily able to view the live CCTV camera feed online. Parents need to be fully satisfied that their child is studying in a safe environment.
Those institutions that fail to install functional CCTV cameras should not be allowed to operate until and unless they provide proof that their institutions are being monitored properly. Biometric attendance should also be encouraged in all institutions and a message ought to be sent to parents when their child reaches or leave the institution. Radical action is needed.
Faisal Ansar
Karachi
Published in The Express Tribune, July 6th, 2021.
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