Scourge of child abuse

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Over the past five years, a staggering 5,398 cases of child sexual abuse have been reported nationwide - each number representing a childhood lost and a family devastated. Punjab, the heart of the country, has tragically become the epicentre of this scourge, with 62% of the cases emerging from the province. Lahore, the city synonymous with heritage and vibrancy, accounted for an unsettling 1,176 cases. Even in remote corners like Kolai-Palas Kohistan, where communities are tightly knit, the shadow of abuse looms large. The most chilling revelation? A 220% surge in cases in 2023 compared to 2019.

While the Zainab Alert Act and other legal frameworks exist, their enforcement remains patchy at best. Courts remain sluggish, police often lack the training to handle sensitive cases and societal taboos around discussing abuse leave victims silenced and perpetrators emboldened. This crisis has now gone beyond policies and laws, as it now demands a cultural reckoning. Communities must become allies in the fight against abuse, recognising that protecting children is not just a government responsibility but a moral duty. However, a strong roadmap is needed by the government to tackle what is quickly turning into a national crisis. Law enforcement must undergo rigorous training to sensitively and effectively handle these cases, and fast-track courts must deliver swift justice to deter potential offenders. A centralised national database could help track repeat offenders and identify patterns, while awareness campaigns in schools and communities could begin to dismantle the cultural stigma that keeps so many cases hidden.

Equally critical is the need for victim support. Child-friendly rehabilitation centres and financial aid can help survivors reclaim their lives. Authorities must also look to tackle new-age threats like online exploitation and trafficking with modern solutions, including digital literacy programmes and stricter cybercrime laws, if they are to keep children safe from the evils of exploitation.