Sick adult minds

Until strong enforcement against perpetrators of child abuse are introduced, the number of cases will continue to rise

It is of utmost prudence that parents across Pakistan be wary of their children’s whereabouts at all times. In the past couple of months, there has been a drastic increase in the number of cases of sexual abuse of children reported across the country. Children of both sexes below the age of 18 have been victims to sexual violence, kidnapped and taken to remote locations, either by individuals or by entire gangs, and raped. Recently, a four–year-old boy was raped, allegedly by a neighbour, when he stepped out of his house, to go to the adjacent mosque to look for his father. The appalling case of the five-year-old girl, who was found outside Lahore’s Sir Ganga Ram Hospital in September, in poor health condition, has also been well reported. It is a positive development that these cases are being reported, but the frequency of these cases is worrying. Indeed, it is a matter that must be assessed by lawmakers and the police to determine how the crisis can be averted.

While the police should be more on their feet with regard to producing the suspects in the recent cases, the problem is perhaps a more deeply-rooted one that requires some reflection on what prompts paedophilia. We need to emphasise more on lessons on morality in our schools, so that when young boys and girls turn into adults, they do not exhibit the same behaviour. The criminals that have been sentenced for such crimes should undergo psychiatric assessment and treatment before being released. Until we recognise that paedophilia — the disorder that is traumatising the lives of so many young children — is becoming widespread and that we need stronger enforcement against perpetrators of such crime, the number of cases will continue to rise.

In absolute terms, we must stop the mistreatment and abuse of children. This victimisation has devastating consequences for the children’s psychological well-being going into adolescence and adulthood. The time for authorities to control the situation is now, before it gets further out of hand.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 23^rd, 2013.

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