Child abuse in Pakistan has reached alarming proportions, becoming a deeply rooted issue that has sparked national outrage and attracted widespread international attention. The country’s failure to effectively tackle this growing epidemic not only represents a dire threat to the safety and well-being of children but also exposes the government’s lack of concrete action and a weak justice system. In recent years, the increasing number of child abuse and rape cases has prompted calls for urgent reform, but unfortunately, the legal and societal structures in place continue to falter. Pakistan’s growing child abuse crisis is a matter of grave concern, not just for the country’s future, but for its standing on the global stage.
The statistics surrounding child abuse in Pakistan are both disturbing and shameful. According to reports, in 2023 alone, there were over 10,201 cases of violence reported, including over 6,624 cases of rape. A gender-divide analysis of the data showed that out of the total reported cases 53 per cent of victims were girls and 47 per cent were boys. While these numbers are horrific on their own, it is important to recognize that these are only the cases that have been reported. Experts and advocates fear that the real numbers could be significantly higher, with many cases going unreported due to societal stigma, lack of access to justice, or the involvement of influential perpetrators.
The overwhelming majority of these cases involve children, and a significant percentage of the perpetrators are family members, teachers, or other trusted figures in the child’s life. This makes the problem all the more insidious, as the abuse often occurs in what should be the safest environments for children. The emotional and psychological damage caused by such abuse is often compounded by the betrayal of trust, making it even more difficult for the victims to heal.
In Pakistan, a disturbing trend is emerging where not only does the rate of child abuse continue to rise, but the level of brutality involved is also increasing. Some cases of sexual violence, particularly against minors, have taken on grotesque proportions. The violence and inhumanity in these cases have sparked widespread outrage, but the justice system has often been slow to respond.
Several incidents in recent years have shocked Pakistan and raised questions about the government’s ability to protect its children. One of the most heartbreaking and widely publicized cases was that of Zainab Ansari, a seven-year-old girl from Kasur district, whose rape and murder in 2018 sent shockwaves across the country. Zainab’s body was found discarded in a garbage dumpster after she had been missing for several days. This gruesome crime triggered mass protests, both in Pakistan and internationally, demanding justice for the innocent child. In response to Zainab’s tragic death, the government passed the Zainab Alert, Response and Recovery Act in 2020, which aimed to strengthen mechanisms for the protection of children and ensure a more prompt response to cases of child abduction and abuse.
Despite this reform, many question whether these laws are being effectively enforced. The rate of prosecutions in such cases remains worryingly low, with only a fraction of perpetrators being brought to justice. This lack of accountability is one of the primary factors contributing to the persistence of child abuse across the country.
In another shocking incident, a seven-year-old boy went missing in Karachi in early January 2023. Mohammed Sarim, who had left his home to attend religious lessons at a madrassah within his apartment complex, disappeared on January 7. After an agonizing 10-day search, his body was discovered in a water tank. The circumstances surrounding his death remain unclear, but the case underscores the vulnerability of children to various forms of abuse, even within their communities.
These tragic events are not isolated incidents but part of a pattern of systemic failure in safeguarding children. The nation has witnessed several similar cases of sexual abuse and exploitation, many of which have gone unpunished or have not been adequately investigated, contributing to a culture of impunity.
In response to mounting pressure, the government has passed several laws aimed at addressing child abuse, including the 2020 legislation that followed the horrific murder of Zainab Ansari. The Zainab Alert, Response, and Recovery Act introduced measures such as a nationwide child protection helpline, a national registry for child abusers, and increased penalties for offenders. While these laws are commendable on paper, their implementation has been inconsistent, and the lack of a well-coordinated approach to addressing child abuse remains a critical issue.
One of the most pressing concerns is the lack of a proper and effective enforcement mechanism. Despite the existence of these laws, the prosecution rate for child abuse cases remains dismal. According to estimates from local human rights organizations, fewer than 10 percent of those accused of child abuse are actually convicted, and in many cases, perpetrators are either acquitted or never brought to trial. This lack of justice has created a culture of fear and mistrust, where survivors of abuse and their families often feel disillusioned with the legal system and reluctant to report incidents of violence.
In addition to the legal and judicial barriers, the social stigma surrounding child abuse in Pakistan also plays a significant role in preventing justice. Victims often face immense societal pressure to remain silent about their trauma, especially when the abuser is a family member or someone in a position of authority. The reluctance to report cases of abuse further perpetuates the cycle of violence.
While the government and legal institutions must bear much of the responsibility for addressing child abuse, Pakistani society also plays a crucial role in perpetuating the problem. Cultural norms and attitudes surrounding the protection of children are often weak, with many cases being dismissed as “family matters” or viewed as shameful, which leads to underreporting and a lack of public accountability.
In rural areas, traditional views and practices often put children at even greater risk, with girls in particular being more vulnerable to early marriage, sexual exploitation, and other forms of abuse. The prevalence of child labor in these regions also exposes children to various forms of physical and emotional violence, and the exploitation often goes unnoticed or unchallenged by authorities.
The failure to prioritize child welfare is also evident in the poor state of education and healthcare in many parts of the country. With many children lacking access to proper education and health services, they are more likely to be exposed to abuse in their homes or communities, making it easier for perpetrators to exploit their vulnerability.
The rising tide of child abuse in Pakistan requires immediate and comprehensive action from all sectors of society, including the government, law enforcement, NGOs, and communities. First and foremost, the legal framework must be strengthened and enforced effectively. The government must prioritize the proper implementation of existing laws, such as the Zainab Alert Act, and ensure that child abuse cases are handled swiftly and with the seriousness they deserve. One of the key issues in improving enforcement is enhancing the capacity of law enforcement agencies to investigate and prosecute cases of child abuse, particularly sexual violence.
Secondly, the prosecution rate must be increased. The legal system must be reformed to ensure that perpetrators are held accountable, and the judicial process must be more efficient and transparent. This requires training for judges, prosecutors, and law enforcement officers to handle child abuse cases with sensitivity and competence.
Moreover, the Pakistani government must invest more in child protection infrastructure, particularly in rural and underserved areas. Building stronger networks of social services, such as helplines, counseling centers, and child welfare services, would allow for more effective intervention in cases of abuse.
Finally, societal attitudes toward child abuse must change. Public awareness campaigns are needed to challenge harmful cultural norms and attitudes that enable abuse to flourish. Families, communities, and schools must all be involved in efforts to protect children from harm and provide support for victims.
The deterioration of child abuse in Pakistan is a matter of profound concern that demands immediate and coordinated action from the government, society, and international partners. The increase in cases of child abuse and the failure to bring perpetrators to justice represent a national crisis that threatens the future of Pakistan’s children and undermines its moral standing in the world. Without real reforms and an unwavering commitment to protecting children, the crisis will only continue to worsen, leaving thousands of vulnerable children exposed to unimaginable harm.
The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect Coverpage’s editorial stance.