Sonya Hussaiyn urges public to report child abuse, domestic violence

Actor calls on citizens to report missing children and domestic violence instead of remaining silent

Actor Sonya Hussaiyn has called for greater public awareness of child safety, domestic violence and consent, urging Pakistanis to report abuse and reject the culture of silence surrounding violence against women and children.

Speaking to the media at a crime prevention seminar in Karachi, Hussaiyn highlighted the importance of reporting missing children and encouraged the public to make use of the police's dedicated Missing Persons Unit (MILAP).

"For all the missing kids, the police department has created a special unit and form known as MILAP (Missing Persons Unit)," she said. "If you know any kid who is missing, or if you have any information regarding a missing child, you need to immediately call the helpline at 15."

The actor also urged communities not to ignore incidents of domestic violence, arguing that treating abuse as a private family matter can have devastating consequences.

"Usually, when there is an incident of domestic violence in a home, a colony, or in your neighbourhood, people say that it's their own matter and we shouldn't get involved," she said. "But what if this becomes your home one day, and it is too late to stop it? You need to inform the police, call 15, and notify the MILAP unit."

 

Separately, Hussaiyn reiterated her support for #InkaarKaro (Say No), an awareness campaign initiated by Angeline Malik to promote consent, encourage survivors to speak out and challenge the normalisation of abuse.

The initiative focuses on educating people to recognise and reject boundary violations at an early stage, with organisers describing it as a preventive movement aimed at fostering awareness before abuse escalates.

The campaign has received support from several prominent figures in Pakistan's entertainment industry, including Samina Ahmed, Frieha Altaf, Sheema Kirmani, Sanam Saeed, Ayesha Omar, Nadia Hussain, Zhalay Sarhadi, Arjumand Rahim, Zoe Viccaji, Farah Shah, Tooba Siddiqui and Faiza Saleem.

Reflecting on the campaign's message in an Instagram post, Hussaiyn stressed that consent should always be respected and that personal boundaries must never be compromised.

 

"You never owe anyone access to your body if you don't want it," she wrote. "Say no immediately, unapologetically, and without guilt. Giving consent is one's right, not a favour. The courage to say no can save a life."

She concluded by calling for a broader cultural shift in how society teaches consent and respect.

"Consent must be clear, voluntary, and respected every single time. Let's raise a generation that understands boundaries, values dignity, and knows that 'No' is never an invitation to persuade. It's the end of the conversation."

Screengrab/Instagram

Reflecting on the campaign’s message, Hussaiyn shared an unapologetic statement on Instagram regarding personal boundaries and the fundamental definition of consent. "You never owe anyone access to your body if you don't want it," Hussaiyn wrote passionately to her followers. "Say NO immediately, unapologetically, and without guilt. Sharing consent is one's right, not a favor. The courage to say no can save a life."

Hussaiyn concluded her message by challenging society to shift how it teaches and interprets boundaries across generations: "Consent must be clear, voluntary, and respected every single time. Let's raise a generation that understands boundaries, values dignity, and knows that 'No' is never an invitation to persuade. It's the end of the conversation."