Over 5,000 Child Sexual Abuse Cases Reported

News Desk

Islamabad: Pakistan recorded 5,398 reported cases of child sexual abuse over a five-year period, with Punjab accounting for nearly two-thirds of the incidents, highlighting significant gaps in child protection, law enforcement and access to support services, according to a report by the Sustainable Social Development Organization (SSDO).

The Islamabad-based non-profit organisation, which works on child rights, said Punjab recorded 3,323 cases, representing 62 percent of the total. Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa followed with 1,360 cases, or 25.1 percent, while Sindh reported 458 cases and Balochistan 257, accounting for 8.5 percent and 5 percent respectively.

The report also pointed to a sharp increase in reported cases, recording a 220 percent rise since 2019. The findings, according to SSDO, underline the need for stronger implementation of existing child protection laws alongside improved prevention, reporting and support mechanisms.

Punjab faces highest burden

Lahore emerged as the district with the highest number of reported cases during the five-year period, recording 1,176 incidents.

The report also highlighted cases from less populous areas, including Kolai-Palas Kohistan in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, where 84 cases were reported. The findings indicate that child sexual abuse remains a nationwide concern, although reporting patterns vary considerably between provinces and districts.

SSDO said the figures should prompt authorities to examine whether existing child protection mechanisms are adequately equipped to prevent abuse, ensure reporting and deliver justice to victims.

The organisation called for stronger enforcement of existing legislation through specialised training for police, investigators and members of the judiciary. It also stressed the need to ensure the effective functioning of fast-track courts established under the Zainab Alert Act.

Calls for stronger coordination

The report recommended improving mechanisms through which abuse can be reported and strengthening cooperation among government departments, law enforcement agencies, courts and civil society organisations.

SSDO also called for the creation of a centralised national database of child sexual abuse cases to help authorities identify patterns, improve policymaking and monitor the effectiveness of interventions.

The report proposed child-friendly spaces, trauma-focused counselling and financial assistance to help affected children and their families cope with the consequences of abuse.

The organisation further urged policymakers to strengthen the legal framework to address emerging forms of exploitation, including online abuse and trafficking.

At the launch of the report, SSDO Executive Director Syed Kausar Abbas described the findings as a serious warning for policymakers and society.

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

He said the 220 percent increase in reported cases since 2019 should serve as a wake-up call and called for stronger legislation, effective enforcement and wider public awareness to make child protection a national priority.

He also stressed that the other provinces face their own institutional challenges and require coordinated action involving government agencies and civil society.

The report ultimately calls for a shift from reactive responses to a more comprehensive child protection system, combining prevention, effective reporting, timely justice, victim support and stronger institutional coordination across Pakistan.