Rampant child abuse

During the first six months of the current year, at least 1,630 cases of child abuse were reported across the country. The real number is likely much higher as most cases go unreported. There is a deep sickness in our society that is simply not being treated. Not only are physical spaces dangerous for our children but so are digital spaces where predators prey on the young. In the first half of 2024, there were 862 reported cases of child sexual abuse, 668 cases of abduction, 82 cases of missing children, and 18 cases of child marriage, revealed data by Sahil, an NGO. Additionally, 48 cases of pornography linked to sexual abuse were documented this year. The NGO's data also stated that 59% of the victims were girls, while 41% were boys and out of the total reported cases, 44% were from urban areas and 56% were from rural areas. These figures are probably just the tip of the iceberg.

The shocking 2015 Kasur child pornography scandal and the brutal murder of Zainab should have served as an adequate wake-up call for the state and society. Unfortunately, it seems that children are a low priority, and beyond the initial outrage, only a few concrete measures were taken including the Zainab Alert Bill. This needs to change. When it comes to child safety, there can be no room for complacency. To effectively address abuse, children need to be educated on recognizing the warning signs of sexual abuse. The state also needs to step up and toughen laws so that the burden of proof is on the accused. The lack of a sensitive and responsive police force has also deterred victims and their families from coming forward. No law will be effective until authorities address the issue directly, track down offenders, and ensure they are punished.