Experts express concern over rising child abuse cases

Reported number of child abuse cases higher in rural areas than in urban localities

KARACHI: There are only four child psychiatrists across Pakistan and it’s time for the government to seriously look at the increasing number of child abuse cases in the Pakistan, urged child rights activists.

Speaking at a conference titled, ‘Stop Child Abuse’ organised by Catwalk Cares and the Express Media Group at a hotel on Saturday, well-known singer and social activist, Shehzad Roy, stressed on changing the mindset of the people, saying the culture of punishing children physically should be changed now.

 

Shehzad Roy speaks at Stop Child Abuse

Roy said that a person, even a teacher, gets punishment according to the law if he or she punishes a child physically. “No one is ready to talk openly on child abuse,” he said. “The issue won’t be resolved until we discuss it clearly,” he added.

A report of the Sahil, a non-governmental organisation, was shared with the participants of the event. The report said that a total of 923 child kidnapping cases were reported in 2018 while 589 child abuse cases were reported across Pakistan. At least 345 attempt to rape cases, 452 missing child cases, 156 gang-rape cases and 99 early child marriage cases were reported in 2018.

Speakers from Stop Child Abuse

The report also disclosed that 92 cases of murder after rape were reported in various parts of the country. It said that out of a total of 3,702 cases of child abuse, 1,571 cases occurred in closed places while 544 attempts happened in open spaces.

Frieha Altaf speaks at Stop Child Abuse

At least 63% child abuses cases were reported in Punjab, 34 in Azad Kashmir, 27% in Sindh, 6% in Gilgit-Baltistan, 4% in K-P, 3% in Islamabad and 2% cases surfaced in Balochistan.

Maria Wasti speaks at Stop Child Abuse

Around 72% cases were reported from rural areas while 28% were from urban localities, the report bifurcated. It said that 51% girls and 49% boys were victims of child abuse.

Sarwat Gillani speaks at Stop Child Abuse

Another speaker, Sarwat Gilani, said that parents must teach their children to know ‘good touch’ and ‘bad touch’.  “Parents must enhance children’s confidence so that they can easily share everything,” she urged.  She also said that people hardly discuss child abuse. And, she added, awareness comes with understanding the issue.

Speakers at Stop Child Abuse

Dr Fawad Suleman disclosed that there was acute shortage of child psychiatrist. “There are only four doctors,” he said.

The Stop Child Abuse conference organised by Catwalk Cares and The Express Media Group

“The state has to play its role so the number of such doctors could be improved,” he demanded, informing that issues related to child mental health are continuously increasing.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 1^st, 2019.