KARACHI:
The rampant increase in child abuse across the country should be a cause of concern for everyone. This coupled with a rise in child labour is a grave injustice that needs our immediate attention to prevent similar harrowing tragedies in the future. Hiring children for domestic help and physically and sexually abusing them after paying them a minimal salary is a grave violation of their rights and safety.
Sexual abuse against children is another crime that has been largely overlooked by society. However, it has a lasting impact on the victims, their families and society. The shame and stigma attached to sexual abuse have compelled families to discourage children from speaking up. This in turn has emboldened the predators who target innocent and vulnerable children. Cases of assault against children within Buner have risen at an alarming pace.
The high frequency of such incidents is a stark reminder that our society has a long way to go in ensuring the protection of its most vulnerable members. The least we can do to mitigate this menace is to improve awareness and encourage victims and their families to speak up, strengthen existing legislation and ensure strict law enforcement. Law enforcement agencies and the judiciary can play an important role in catching the culprits and bringing them to justice. Educational institutes can lend a helping hand by initiating educational campaigns on good touch and bad touch. Teachers and other school staff’s behaviours should be monitored to create a safe learning environment. It is our collective responsibility to foster a safe and secure environment for our future nation builders.
Muhammad Rauf
Buner
Published in The Express Tribune, August 25th, 2023.
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