NGO Reports That Over 3 Children Sexually Abused in Pakistan Daily

Approximately 3.3 children are sexually abused per day in Pakistan, which is a 9.4 per cent increase as compared to the 2008 data, according to a report. According to the report compiled by a non-governmental organisation (NGO)- Sahil, a total of 2,012 reported cases of child sexual abuse were recorded from all over Pakistan in 2009, The Nation reported.

Punjab- with the largest population- has topped the list by reporting 62 per cent cases, followed by Sindh- 28 pc, Islamabad- 7pc, Khyber Pakhtunkhawa- 1.5pc, Balochistan- 1pc and Pak-occupied Kashmir- 0.5pc.

The rural-urban divide of the cases showed that about 63 per cent cases occurred in rural areas and 37 per cent of them among the urban population of Pakistan.

81 per cent of the reported cases of child sexual abuse were registered with the police, whereas 6 per cent were unregistered, and the status of 13 per cent was not mentioned.

Also, the identification of 70 per cent victims was revealed by printing names (63pc) and pictures (7pc) in the newspapers, whereas the identities of 30 per cent victims were not revealed.

As per the sex-wise distribution of data in the report, 6, 800 girls and 32 per cent boys were victims of sexual abuse.

Among the crime categories, abduction cases topped the list of sexual abuse crimes against children with about 4,100 cases, while the second highest crime category was that of rape and sodomy with as many as 2, 800 cases of both girls and boys taking place. Gang rape and gang sodomy was the third highest category of crime with 15 per cent cases taking place.

A total of 6 per cent children were murdered after being sexually assaulted, whereas 0.5 per cent cases were of those kids, who were murdered in an attempt of sexual assault.

According to the report, the most vulnerable age group of children to abuse is that of 11-15 years, in which almost 25.5 per cent cases took place, followed by 6-10 years, with 16.5 per cent cases.

Source-ANI