A staggering 5,398 cases of child sexual abuse were reported across Pakistan between 2019 and 2023, with Punjab accounting for 62% of the cases3,323 incidents making it the province with the highest prevalence.
The alarming figures, presented in a comprehensive report by the Sustainable Social Development Organisation (SSDO), revealed the growing prevalence of child sexual abuse and called for urgent measures to address the crisis.
The report analysed cases from Punjab, Sindh, K-P and Balochistan during the five-year period. K-P recorded 1,360 cases (25.1%), Sindh reported 458 cases (8.5%), and Balochistan accounted for 257 cases (5%). One of the most alarming revelations was the 220% increase in reported cases in 2023 compared to 2019, indicating a rapidly escalating crisis.
The Lahore district in Punjab reported the highest number of cases, with 1,176 incidents during the period. Even sparsely populated areas like Kolai-Palas Kohistan District in K-P, with a population of only 158,096 under the age of 18, recorded 84 cases.
The SSDO has put forward key recommendations to combat child sexual abuse effectively in Pakistan, including strengthening the enforcement of existing laws through specialized training for law enforcement and judiciary, ensuring the efficient functioning of fast-track courts under the Zainab Alert Act and amplifying community awareness campaigns.
It also recommended enhancing reporting mechanisms, fostering inter-agency collaboration and establishing a centralized national database for CSA cases are also critical.
Additionally, the recommendations stressed the need for victim support through child-friendly spaces, trauma-focused counselling and financial compensation, alongside the development of robust legal frameworks to address emerging challenges like online exploitation and trafficking.
The report urged policymakers, law enforcement agencies and civil society to join forces to tackle the root causes of child sexual abuse. It reiterated its commitment to supporting all efforts aimed at ensuring a safe and secure environment for children.
'Wake-up call'
Speaking at the launch of the report, SSDO Executive Director Syed Kausar Abbas expressed grave concern over the findings and called for urgent, coordinated action to combat child sexual abuse.
"These figures are not just statistics; they reflect the lives of innocent children who have endured unimaginable trauma," he noted, adding that the 220% increase in reported cases over five years was a wake-up call for the nation. He said there was an urgent need for stronger laws, robust enforcement mechanisms and widespread awareness campaigns to ensure child protection becomes a national priority.
He further stressed the pivotal role of provincial governments in addressing this crisis. "The fact that 62% of cases originate from Punjab demands an immediate review of existing child protection policies and their implementation."
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