EVEN a single child harmed is inexcusable, yet incidents of child abuse in Pakistan do not show any sign of dying out. Frequent and shocking reports on child abuse point towards a deep-rooted malaise that is not being dealt with. Increasingly, the sentiment of being expendable for the state is building up among citizens, particularly the weaker and vulnerable populations. For instance, last year’s data by Sahil — 4,200 reported cases of children abused in 2023, with 11 being violated daily — failed to arouse a strong response from the rulers. As a result, conviction rates were abysmal and the environment was not made safer for the young. Children continue to get the rough end of the stick. New data in Sahil’s SixMonthsCruelNumbers shows that 1,630 cases of child abuse were recorded from across Pakistan in the first half of 2024, with 862 cases of child sexual abuse, 668 of abduction, 82 of missing minors, 18 of child marriage, and 48 instances of pornography after sexual exploitation. Of these, 59pc were female victims and 41pc were boys. It is important to highlight that while Punjab threw up 78pc of the total cases, 11pc came from Sindh and 3pc from KP.

We have little choice but to recognise that all research shows an endemic acceptance of abuse and the imbalance of power, which forms the core reason for child abuse. In addition, the authorities, law enforcers and the judiciary ought to pay heed to survivors’ testimonies and to expert opinions. Laws on all forms of child exploitation should not just be tightened but implemented to ensure conviction. The plague of child cruelty is poised to destroy our future. Hence, NGOs, government departments and security personnel need to operate in tandem to formulate robust preventative mechanisms for a lasting protective environment. Every section of society must respond with a consistent reaction to violations against our most valuable resource.

Published in Dawn, August 10th, 2024