13.09.2023

​A Child Was Sexually Abused Every Two Hours In Pakistan This Year 2023

An average of 12 children per day – or one every two hours – were subjected to sexual abuse in Pakistan in 2023, a report by a nongovernmental organisation says. In its half-yearly report published on Thursday, Islamabad-based NGO Sahil said a total of 2,227 cases of child sexual abuse were reported to the authorities between January and June this year 2023. It said there were 1,207 girls and 1,020 boys in the cases it recorded in 2023. Experts warn that the figure is just "the tip of the iceberg," as many cases go unreported. There are about 1.5 million homeless children in Pakistan and 2.5 million in Islamic seminaries. They are all vulnerable to sexual assault. A lack of conviction in cases of child sexual abuse on a weak judicial system and the societal trend of settling the matter out of court. This was due to social and economic pressures faced by the families of the victims, and the stigma associated with sexual abuse. In a number of cases of child sexual abuse, the perpetrators are either relatives, teachers or clerics, said a Lahore-based expert on sexual and gender-based violence issues. When a child informs their parents about such abuse, the parents often don't believe them, which badly affects the confidence of the child. Domestic sexual abuse of children is a taboo subject in Pakistan. The problem is compounded by a prevailing culture of impunity for perpetrators, activists say. Credit: TIMES NOW