Over 5,000 Child Sexual Abuse Cases Reported in 5 Years: SSDO

News Desk

Islamabad: As many as 5,398 cases of child sexual abuse were reported across Pakistan over the past five years, according to a report by the Sustainable Social Development Organization (SSDO), an Islamabad-based non-profit organization working for child rights.

Punjab accounted for the highest prevalence, with 3,323 cases (62%) reported, making it the province with the most incidents. Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa recorded 1,360 cases (25.1%), Sindh reported 458 cases (8.5%), and Balochistan accounted for 257 cases (5%).

The SSDO report highlights the alarming situation of child sexual abuse in Pakistan, emphasizing the need for stricter implementation of child protection laws and awareness campaigns to combat this issue.

Child Sexual Abuse Cases Surge 220% 

A staggering 220 percent  increase in child sexual abuse cases has been reported in Pakistan since 2019, according to a report by the Sustainable Social Development Organization (SSDO). This sharp rise underscores an escalating crisis that requires urgent national attention.

Punjab’s Lahore district reported the highest number of cases, with 1,176 incidents recorded during the five-year period. In contrast, Kolai-Palas Kohistan, a sparsely populated district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with a population of just 158,096 under 18, reported 84 cases.

The SSDO report presents comprehensive recommendations to combat child sexual abuse effectively, including:

• Strengthening the enforcement of existing laws through specialized training for law enforcement and judiciary.
• Ensuring the efficient functioning of fast-track courts under the Zainab Alert Act.
• Amplifying community awareness campaigns.
• Enhancing reporting mechanisms and fostering inter-agency collaboration.
• Establishing a centralized national database for child sexual abuse cases.
• Providing victim support through child-friendly spaces, trauma-focused counseling, and financial compensation.
• Developing robust legal frameworks to address emerging challenges like online exploitation and trafficking.

At the report’s launch, SSDO Executive Director Syed Kausar Abbas expressed deep concern over the findings, urging immediate and coordinated action to tackle the issue.

“These figures are not just statistics; they reflect the lives of innocent children who have endured unimaginable trauma,” Abbas said.

“The 220 percent increase in reported cases over five years is a wake-up call for the nation. Stronger laws, robust enforcement mechanisms, and widespread awareness campaigns are critical to making child protection a national priority.”

Abbas emphasized the crucial role of provincial governments, particularly in Punjab, which accounted for 62 percent of reported cases.

“The prevalence in Punjab demands an immediate review of existing child protection policies and their implementation,” he said.

“Similarly, systemic gaps in provinces like Sindh, KP, and Balochistan must be addressed through coordinated efforts between government institutions and civil society.”